Periodontal Therapy

The mouth is the window to the body. It is both an indicator of the body's overall health and a potential starting point for inflammation of the gums (periodontal disease), which affects three out of four adults age 35 and over, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue around your teeth, which also may involve the bone. The infection may involve a few teeth or most of your teeth and can be mild to advanced. Bleeding gums and oral lesions are not normal, and often there is no pain in advanced stages of gum disease.

To underscore the seriousness of having gym disease, it should be noted that gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.

Periodontal disease is also linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and premature birth. Researchers have also found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.

To keep plaque at low levels, electric toothbrushes may also benefit patients who might be handicapped or lack manual dexterity. Also, women who are pregnant, or considering pregnancy, should have regular dental checkups.

Another way to prevent periodontal disease is by not smoking. Cigarette, cigar, and pipe-smoking harm oral health as well as overall health.

The link between oral health and the body's overall health underscores the need for dental-medical teamwork in preventing and treating disease. When your mouth and teeth are disease-free, your risks for developing other diseases throughout your life may be reduced. You can help prevent gum disease by brushing and flossing every day, limiting between-meal snacks, and seeing your dentist and dental hygienist regularly.