The Mouth/Body Connection
In July of 1998, 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 can play havoc elsewhere in the body.
Since July of 1998, evidence has continued to mount to support these links. While more research needs to be done to say definitively that people with periodontal disease are at higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, preterm births and respiratory disease, periodontists do know that periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and all infections are cause for concern.
Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research is suggesting 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 preterm, low birth weight baby.
- Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabtes, respiratory diseases, osteoporosis.
Don’t Ignore Your Oral Health
If you value your oral as well as your overall health, a periodontal evaluation is a good idea. Sometimes the only way
to detect periodontal disease is through a periodontal evaluation. A periodontal evaluation may be especially important if you:
- Notice any symptoms of periodontal disease.
- Have heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis.
- Are thinking of becoming pregnant.
- Have a family member with periodontal disease. Research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can pass through saliva. This means the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member.
- Have a sore or irritation in your mouth that does not get better within two weeks.
Find Out More
Determine if you are at risk for periodontal disease.
Take a Self-Evaluation Quiz
You may not realize that persistent swollen, red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath are warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease — a serious infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
Jot down your answers to the following questions to find out if you have the symptoms of periodontal Disease.
1. Do you ever have pain in your mouth?
2. Do your gums ever bleed when you brush your teeth or when you eat hard food?
3. Have you noticed any spaces developing between your teeth?
4. Do your gums ever feel swollen or tender?
5. Have you noticed that your gums are receding (pulling back from your teeth) or your teeth appear longer than before?
6. Do you have persistent bad breath?
7. Have you noticed pus between your teeth and gums?
8. Have you noticed any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite?
9. Do you ever develop sores in your mouth?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have a high chance of periodontal disease