Oral Health Information

Heart Health Information:

"Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause  of death in the Unites States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day(1)."

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and other structures supporting the teeth.

Periodontal disease, heart disease and stroke are linked. Bacteria in the mouth is the same bacteria that travels to the coronary arteries attaching fatty plaques, this causes blood clots and restricts the amount of blood flow, nutrients, and oxygen required for the heart to function efficiently. This may lead to heart attacks. 

Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke.

"Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease (2)."

"There is an association between periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal disease, but may also help with managing other chronic inflammatory conditions (2)."  

A periodontal evaluation may be especially important if you:

Have heart disease?

Do your gums bleed?

Are you new to the area and have not been to the dentist in a while?

Have a family member with periodontal disease? Research suggests that the bacteria that causes periodontal disease  can pass through saliva. This means the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contacting the periodontal disease of another family member.

Have a sore or irritation in your mouth that does not get better within two weeks?

Are over the age of forty?

 Missing a tooth you would like to replace? 

 http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.top2.htm American Academy of Periodontology