Gum Disease and the Rest of Your Body

February is Gum Disease Awareness Month. It’s a great time to remind you of the not-so-great findings that link gum (periodontal) disease to a plethora of serious conditions including:

Heart Disease
Stroke
Cancer
Diabetes
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Pregnancy Complications and Pre-Term Birth
Respiratory Diseases
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Erectile Dysfunction
Osteoporosis

Did You Know?

• You CAN pass on the germs associated with gum disease from kissing someone with periodontal disease or even just from sharing utensils
• Gum disease is, at least at first, considered a SILENT disease in that symptoms may not appear until the disease has advanced. One way of assuring this doesn’t happen: Visit your dentist regularly!
• The best way to prevent gum disease is by brushing twice a day, flossing daily and seeing your dentist regularly for professional cleaning
• People with gum disease are thought to be more vulnerable to other diseases since their bodies are already busy fighting the gum disease infection
• 85% of adults have some form of gum disease, yet only 60% of them know they have it
• Risk factors for gum disease also include poor oral hygiene, eating too much sugary food, poor dental work, family history and certain medications

Treating Gum Disease

Initial treatments for gum disease here at Pennsylvania Center for Dental Implants and Periodontics include regular deep cleaning called scaling and root planing which scrapes away bacteria from the root surface.

More advanced treatments, if gum disease isn’t identified until later stages, may include osseous surgery and LANAP® laser-based surgery.

Call our office today to make an appointment to address gum disease NOW. Referrals are always welcomed but not necessary.