Quick Links
- Introduction
- About Periodontal Disease
- Preventing Gum Disease
- Links to Systemic Disease
- Oral Hygiene
- Oral Pathology
Please view our periodontal procedures and dental implants sections to learn more about periodontal disease treatment options.
Links to Systemic Disease
Periodontal Disease
Heart and Periodontal Disease
Healthy hearts and healthy gums play vital roles in maintaining a healthy body. Because periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, periodontal disease can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. The heart is one of the most susceptible organs.
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria enter the blood through inflamed gums and cause small blood clots that contribute to clogged arteries. Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease contributes to the buildup of fatty deposits inside heart arteries.
People with periodontal disease may become more at risk for heart disease and have nearly twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack.
Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes. Also, periodontal disease may make it more difficult for 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 high blood sugar. Controlling periodontal disease may help the diabetic control their diabetes.
Premature Birth and Periodontal Disease
Periodontal infections may be a risk factor for pre-term low-birth-weight babies. Mothers with periodontal disease have about a 4-fold greater chance of having babies that are born too early and too small than do mothers without gum disease.
Respiratory Disease and Periodontal Disease
People who smoke, are elderly, or have other health problems that suppress the immune system, are at increased risk for the development of respiratory diseases like pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Research is beginning to suggest a new risk factor--periodontal disease.
Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease
Research has suggested a link between osteoporosis and gum disease. Studies claim that osteoporosis may lead to a decrease in the density of the bone in the jaw that provides a solid foundation for teeth, therefore contributing to tooth loss.