Gum Disease Linked to Heart Disease

GUM DISEASE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO HEART DISEASE AND EVEN STROKE

Current medical research has exposed gum disease as a major contributor to the onset of strokes, heart disease, and many other life-threatening conditions. In truth, stopping gum disease will make all the difference in your efforts to retain your overall good health.

The American Dental Association’s projections show 8 out of 10 people in the United States have periodontal (gum) disease. With such a high infection rate, you would think that gum disease would be handled as a national epidemic, but because tooth loss has long been accepted as being merely unpleasant, the ruthlessness of the disease has been disregarded for far too long. However, things are changing.

The American Academy of Periodontology reports: “Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.” What this means is that when you develop periodontal disease, the bacteria that poisons your teeth and gums can penetrate your other soft tissues, transfer into your bloodstream, and create problems in your heart, lungs, and other necessary organs. If your health is already compromised, gum disease will make things worse.

Hicks Family Dentistry   
Kevin Hicks, DDS 
756 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543 
(717) 625-0596 
HicksFamilyDentistry.com