Not Just a Cleaning
It’s Just A Cleaning—Or is it?
Did you know that gum disease can cause systemic problems such as low birth weight babies, heart attacks and stroke? Gum disease has also been linked to pancreatic cancer. In fact, flossing and regular dental exams as well as your regular recommended hygiene visit with Molly can add an average of seven years to your life. Seven years! When you think about it, one hour every few months to clean and maintain your teeth and gums is well worth it! Give us a call and schedule your appointment today so that we can reserve a time that works the best for you.
Low Birth Weight Babies
For a long time we’ve known that risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and drug use contribute to mothers having babies that are born prematurely at a low birth weight.
Now evidence is mounting that suggests a new risk factor – periodontal disease. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.
More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may affect pregnancy outcomes. It appears that periodontal disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor. Furthermore, data suggests that women whose periodontal condition worsens during pregnancy have an even higher risk of having a premature baby.
All infections are cause for concern among pregnant women because they pose a risk to the health of the baby. The Academy recommends that women considering pregnancy have a periodontal evaluation.
Links Between Gum Disease and Heart Attacks
Oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attach to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contribute to clot formation. Reasearchers have found that people with periodontal disease (gum disease) are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease than those without periodontal disease.
Stroke
Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke.
Respiratory Diseases
Bacteria in the mouth and throat can be inhaled into the lungs where they multiply and cause infections such as pneumonia, especially in people with periodontal disease. In addition, people with chronic respiratory infections have a reduced immune system , making it difficult to eliminate bacteria from the lungs.
Gum Disease and Diabetes
People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes. Probably because diabetics are more susceptible to infections. People who don’t have their diabetes under control are especially at risk.
Research has emerged that suggests that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes goes both ways–periodontal disease may make it more difficultfor people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar.
Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, contributing to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts diabetics at increased risk for diabetic complications.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.; more than 30,000 Americans are expected to die from the disease this year. It is an extremely difficult cancer to treat and little is known about what causes it. In a new study, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that periodontal disease was associated with an increased risk of cancer of the pancreas. The study provides the first strong evidence that periodontal disease may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. This finding is of significance as it may provide some new insights into the mechanism of this highly fatal disease.
For more information, visit http://www.perio.org
Some patients are able to have two hygiene visits per year and maintain the health of their teeth and gums. Most patients, however, need something more to help them maintain their oral health. Don’t beat yourself up if you are asked to return to the dentist more frequently such as three or four times per year. Recommendations are based on your individual needs. And after all, it is time well spent when so many aspects of your overall health rely on the health of your gums and mouth.