Research has found that there is a connection between periodontal disease (gum disease) and other ailments such as heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Although it is not totally clear as to why this connection exists, one thought is that poor dental hygiene can cause excessive growth of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria may not initially cause problems in the mouth, but can enter the bloodstream through the gums and can then clump on blood vessel walls and grow into plaque that clogs the arteries and eventually leads to heart attacks and strokes.
As recently reported by ABC News, Dr. Daniel Meyer, the Senior Vice President of Science and Professional Affairs for the American Dental Association has stated that “Regular dental visits are important to diagnose and treat dental disease. Some conditions in the mouth may indicate disease elsewhere in the body, so by maintaining a schedule of regular dental visits, the dentist can certainly refer patients to physicians or other health care providers for evaluation of potential systemic disease.”
To help safeguard your overall health as well as your teeth and gums, be sure to practice good oral hygiene and see your dentist for regular checkups and cleaning. Using Perfect Smile toothpaste and mouth rinse containing ingredients that help promote healthy teeth and gums like CoQ10, Xylitol and Vitamin C, along with daily flossing will help you achieve and maintain good oral health.
In the near future we will relay some exciting news about a new technology that will soon be available to your dentist which will help him or her to identify the potential for periodontal disease well in advance of it actually occurring.
