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Gum Disease and You

Taking above average care of yourself in every way is extremely important and should be high on every person's priority list. Yet another reason to eat right, get plenty of rest, exercise frequently and practice good hygiene is because it can affect what is happening in your mouth at any given time.

In July of 1998 the American Academy of Periodontology did a series of studies that pointed to something they had long suspected- that infections that develop in the mouth can cause problems in other parts of the body.

Since that date, more and more evidence has come along to support these findings. While studies are ongoing, medical professionals have been able to let the public know that individuals who develop periodontal disease are much more likely to develop a host of other health problems than are those who never develop the oral disease. These health conditions include heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and preterm births. Periodontal disease is a type of bacterial infection and is therefore just as much of a concern as is a bacterial infection that occurs in other parts of the body.

Bacteria from periodontal disease can get into the bloodstream and then make its way to any of the major organs such as the liver, pancreas and kidneys and from there can develop into new kinds of infections. Research looking at this is theorizing that this could very likely increase the risk of a person having a stroke and could also contribute to the start of heart disease, which happens to be the number one killer in the United States. This could also pose a very grave danger to individuals who suffer from diabetes, osteoporosis and any number of respiratory problems such as asthma or bronchitis. This can also increase a pregnant woman's chances of giving birth preterm to a baby that is very low in weight.

Taking care of yourself and caring about your health in general also includes paying attention to your teeth and gums and indeed your mouth in general. Be aware that sometimes periodontal disease can only be detected by way of a dental exam. A periodontal exam is particularly important if you can identify any symptoms of the oral disease and also if you are a woman who is contemplating getting pregnant. If you have a family member that has periodontal disease then you are more inclined to develop it as it has been shown to have a genetic link and therefore you should visit your dentist as frequently as possible. Anyone who has such diseases as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis or respiratory disease should go to their dentist for regular exams and cleanings. Never neglect your oral health.

Research into the specifics of periodontal disease has put forth the theory that bacteria that results from periodontal disease can easily travel by way of saliva. What this means is that contact between people such as kissing, sharing straws or utensils can pass infected saliva from one individual to another. Some families have a genetic link, which makes this a greater threat to oral health.