What Are The Medical Consequences
Of Periodontal Disease?

When periodontal infection gets into the bone around your teeth, it can then enter your blood stream. From there it travels to other parts of the body and can contribute to medical problems.

Heart disease & heart attack

People with periodontal disease are 2.7 times more likely to suffer a heart attack.

Stroke

People with periodontal disease are 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke.

Premature birth

Women with periodontal disease are 7 to 8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to a low birth-weight baby.

Diabetes

Periodontal infection can raise blood sugar in diabetic patients. Periodontal treatment may result in a reduced need for insulin.

Respiratory disease

Periodontal infection in the mouth can be breathed in and increase the severity of such respiratory diseases as pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.

Your bacteria can be transmitted

Research using DNA testing has found that periodontal bacteria can be transmitted from parent to child and spouse to spouse.

Periodontal infection is a medical problem

Periodontal disease is no longer thought of as just a dental problem. Research is finding many correlations between periodontal infection and serious medical problems.

Some patients are at higher risk

Patients who are in a higher risk category for periodontal disease are those having a personal or family history of:

• Heart disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Premature childbirth
• Diabetes
• Respiratory diseases

And;

those having higher risk lifestyles, including:

• Chronic stress
• Smoking
• Sedentary and overweight
• Frequent colds, flu etc.

If you have been told you have periodontal infection (or have some of its symptoms), it is vital that you seek evaluation and treatment.