Gums and Health
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Cardiovascular Disease
It is thought that chronic periodontal disease may increase a person's likelihood of having a fatal heart attack by nearly two-fold. Persons with periodontal disease are also more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. The increased inflammation may be the cause of the higher risk.
Stroke
Those with adult periodontitis seem to have an increased risk of stroke. Again, the increased chronic inflammation problem may contribute.
Diabetes
It has been known for years that diabetics have a higher incidence of periodontal disease than non-diabetics. Recently, however, it has been shown that diabetics with periodontal disease have a more difficult time controlling blood sugar levels than those with healthy gums. Untreated periodontal disease may result in elevated blood glucose levels, which increases the diabetic's risk for other systemic complications, such as kidney and heart disease. Treatment of periodontal disease has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels.
Pre-term or Low Birth Weight Babies
Recent research has shown chronic periodontal disease can increase the risk of premature, low-birth-weight infants by up to SEVEN times. This risk factor may even be greater than that posed by tobacco or alcohol. Pre-term, low-birth-weight babies are 30 times more likely to die, have a much higher incidence of congenital deformities, and are much less likely to be healthy. The American Academy of Periodontology recommends a periodontal examination as part of routine prenatal care.
Respiratory Infections
While research is ongoing, it has been shown that the same bacteria found in periodontal disease may be involved in pulmonary disease. One study found that people with advanced periodontal disease are 4.5 times more likely to have a chronic respiratory disease. It has been suggested that dental plaque buildup creates a source of bacteria that can be inhaled into the lungs, leading to pulmonary diseases. To sum up, it can be said that to maintain good general health you must also maintain good periodontal health. |
In the last five years, it has become increasingly apparent that periodontal health can have a major impact on a patient's general health. With periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection, there is a higher incidence of bacteria in the bloodstream, which circulate to the various organs of the body. These bacteria may also bind with blood platelets, the clotting components of blood, causing an increase in clot formation in arteries and heart tissues. Patients with periodontal disease appear to have a higher risk of having the following diseases: