Periodontal Disease and Your
Health
Evidence is now
suggesting that periodontal disease can be a risk factor in
cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease. People with
periodontal disease are at greater risk of heart disease and have
twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack than
people without periodontal disease.
It is believed that
bacteria that cause periodontal disease may cause small blood clots
to form that can contribute to clogged arteries and build up of
fatty deposits within the heart arteries.
Periodontal disease has
now been shown to be a risk factor for having
premature or low birth weight babies. Mothers with periodontal disease may be at a
7 times greater risk for having a premature or low
birth weight baby.
Periodontal disease has
been known for some time to be interrelated with diabetes. Bleeding
gums, bone loss and an increase in pocket depths may be an early
indicator of diabetes. Diabetics are more susceptible to
periodontal disease and often require more periodontal care
than non-diabetic patients. Periodontal disease activity is often
related to the level of control of the diabetic patient's blood
sugar.
Smoking and periodontal
disease are linked as well. Smoking reduces the blood supply to the
surrounding bone of the tooth. The intense heat and toxins produced
during smoking can also affect the bacterial composition of the
mouth and the body's immune response to periodontal bacteria.
Smoking reduces the effect of periodontal therapy regardless
of the level of oral hygiene.
