Thursday 22 February 2018

Gum Disease Linked to Heart Disease

Gum Disease Can Contribute to Heart Disease and Even Stroke

The connections found by current medical research are startling: gum disease is linked to stroke, heart disease, and more. Since heart disease is frequently fatal, it is important to take gum disease very seriously. The American Dental Association approximates that 8 out of 10 Americans have periodontal (gum) disease. If this were any other disease, such as AIDS or tuberculosis, it would be treated as an epidemic! And while most dentists consider it to be just that, they also expect that gum disease will never be identified as an epidemic because “no one ever dies from it.” Normally, the worst concern expressed is that you lose your teeth. Not desirable – but definitely not life threatening. But that mindset has changed.

The American Academy of Periodontology reports that “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.” Periodontal disease is an uncontrolled bacterial infection of the gums. These bacteria can move through your soft tissues, into your bloodstream, and directly to your heart.


Kevin Rykard, DDS
12448 St. Andrews Drive 
Oklahoma City, OK 73120 
(405) 752-2626 
OklahomaDentistry.com

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