In the late 90’s, the American Academy of Periodontology launched an effort to educate the public about new findings which support what dental professionals had long suspected: infections in the mouth play havoc elsewhere in the body.
Since then, evidence continues to support these links. While more research needs to be done to confirm that people with periodontal disease (gum disease) are at a higher risk for developing heart and systemic disease, dentists do know that periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and all infections are cause for concern.
Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream, travel to major organs, and begin new infections. Research suggests that this may:
- Contribute to the development of Heart Disease, the nation’s leading cause of death.
- Increase the risk of stroke.
- Increase a woman’s risk of having a pre-term, low birth weight baby.
- Pose serious threats to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis.
Later this week I will discuss further how gum disease may contribute to development of heart disease and stroke. Until then…
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Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Mar. 16, 2010
