Gum disease: the silent enemy that is damaging your health

Do you see blood when brushing your teeth? Think it's nothing? Wrong move. That's exactly how the story begins, the finale of which may not only be the loss of teeth, but also a heart attack, diabetes or memory problems. In the latest episode of the "First Patient" podcast, Monika Rachtan talks to Natalia Stefanik, M.D., a stomist. Natalia Stefanik - about gum disease, which affects almost everyone in Poland, but we still treat it as a cosmetic defect.

It's not the toothpaste that bleeds - it's you

Bleeding gums are not 'the result of too hard a toothbrush'. It is an alarm signal that chronic inflammation is going on in the mouth. Gingivitis, periodontitis - these terms sound familiar, but do we really understand them? Natalia Stefanik explains: healthy gums do NOT bleed. If this is the norm with you - don't ignore it. It's like having a finger bleed every day and saying "cool, it'll pass".

Teeth moving? It's not age. It's neglect

Periodontitis is like a hacker - it works silently. You may not feel any pain for years, and in that time the bacteria are doing their thing: destroying gums, bone, and teeth losing stability. And suddenly you notice that one of them is moving. You look for a paste "for periodontitis". Too late. Now you have to fight to save it. Surgical treatment, subgingival cleaning, bone regeneration - these are not aesthetic treatments. They are often a fight for the functionality of the entire mouth.

Your gums, your heart, your memory

Did you know that inflammation in the mouth can worsen the course of diabetes? That it can be linked to heart attacks, strokes and even the development of Alzheimer's disease? These are not theories - they are medical facts. Oral bacteria do not stop at the gum line. They travel through the bloodstream to the brain, heart and kidneys. This is why Natalia Stefanik makes it clear: periodontal treatment is not a fad. It is part of the prevention of the whole body.

Hygienization is not whitening. It is a rescue

People ask: "Do I really need to go to the hygienist every six months? Yes, if you want to preserve your teeth. Hygienization removes deposits, bacteria, deposits that you can't see but that work against you every day. A toothbrush - even the best one - doesn't reach everywhere. Flossing, an irrigator, dental check-ups - these are not fads from Instagram, but the foundation of oral health.

Pain-free treatment - yes, it is possible

Fear of the dentist is a common reason why we delay treatment. But modern periodontics has a completely different face. Treatment can be gentle, painless and effective. Natalia Stefanik explains that today we can not only stop the disease, but also improve the patient's overall wellbeing. She often hears from patients: "I sleep better", "I have more energy", "My sugar has normalised". The change starts with the gums.

No symptoms? More.

It's a trap. Most people with periodontal disease do not feel pain. That is why education and prevention are so important. The earlier we detect the problem, the lower the risk of serious consequences. The Patient First podcast was created to talk about such topics - without taboos, without stitching, straightforwardly.

Take care of your gums. Take care of yourself.

The episode with Natalia Stefanik is not just a conversation about teeth. It's a conversation about quality of life, about how small neglect leads to big problems. And about the fact that we really can stop it.