Heart and Periodontal Disease
 Because periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections.  The heart is one of the most susceptible organs. Heart disease (or cardiovascular disease) affects more than 60 million Americans. It is the leading cause of death in the United States. Yet many types of heart disease may be prevented.  Taking care of your periodontal health may be one important step toward prevention, along with controlling the well-known risk factors for heart disease.  Click here for more information on heart disease and periodontal disease from the The American Academy of Periodontology.

Women and Gum Disease
As a woman, you need to take extra care of yourself at specific times in your life. Time when you mature and change, for example, puberty or menopause, and times when you have special health needs, such as menstruation or pregnancy. Did you know that your oral health needs change at these times too? During these particular times, your body experiences hormonal changes. These changes can affect many of the tissues in your body, including your gums.  Your gums can become sensitive, and at times react strongly to the hormonal fluctuations. This may  make you more susceptible to gum disease. Click here for more information on women and oral health from the The American Academy of Periodontology. (Back to top of page)

Diabetes and Gum Disease
People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes, probably because diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections. In fact, periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes. Those people who don't have their diabetes under control are especially at risk. Click here for more information on diabetes and gum disease from the The American Diabetes Association. (Back to top of page)

Respiratory and Periodontal Disease
Numerous respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are often health problems for people who smoke, the elderly, or people who have suppressed immune systems. Infections of the mouth including periodontal disease can also place you at increased risk for respiratory disease. Current research is determining the mechanism for specific organisms involved. If you are at risk for respiratory infection, then control of periodontal disease can make a difference!  Click here for study about respiratory and periodontal disease from the The American Academy of Periodontology. (Back to top of page)

Tobacco and Gum Disease
As you probably already know, tobacco use is linked with many serious illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease, as well as numerous other health problems. What you may not know is tobacco users also are at increased risk for periodontal disease.In fact, recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease.  Whether you smoke, dip or chew tobacco, you are more likely to have periodontal disease — and to have it more severely — than those who do not use any form of tobacco. Click here for more information on the dangers of tobacco and gum disease from the The American Academy of Periodontology. (Back to top of page)

Periodontist serving New London, Connecticut (CT) & Rhode Island (RI) with dental implants, periodontal surgery and laser gum surgery.