January 13, 2014
A Global Epidemic More Widespread than H1N1
Protect yourself from this epidemic!
Imagine a condition that... contributed to such killers as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes... made victims’ teeth fall out, and affected nearly 75% of Americans – putting them at serious risk of debilitating disease and even death.1
You think it would make the news – and make people want to take action NOW. This is because the media rerely covers serious dental issues.
This condition is called periodontal disease, or gum infection and science has linked it not only to irreversible, permanent jaw bone damage but to a range of very serious diseases. In fact periodontal disease is far more widespread than H1N1, yet has NO SYMPTOMS in its early (sometimes even moderate) stages. People are only beginning to realize just how dangerous it is.
Some Startling Statistics
Scientists have been investigating the link between periodontal disease and other conditions for some time – with some frightening results. Take cardiovascular disease, which contributes to 2,400 deaths every day.2 The American Academy of Periodontology reports that “Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.” 3
Research points to links between periodontal disease and diabetes as well. "If you have this oral infection... it’s much more difficult to control blood glucose levels", says Maria E. Ryan, DDS, PhD, Professor of Oral Biology and Pathology and Director of Clinical Research, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York.4 That’s a real problem for the nearly 21 million Americans who have diabetes.
What’s more, the links may actually be a two way street. The New York Times reports a study by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health that found that “individuals with elevated levels of periodontal disease were nearly twice as likely to become diabetic within 20 years, even after adjusting for age, smoking, obesity and diet.”5
A Silent Threat
Much of this research is relatively new, and most people with periodontal disease don’t have any idea they’re at risk. So they put off the regular examinations and routine care that could prevent periodontitis.
It’s easy to understand because early and even moderate stage gum disease has virtually no symptoms. It’s not until after the infection has already had a chance to irreversibly damage the underlying bone that people begin to notice things like red, swollen or bleeding gums.
And even then, far too many people think their symptoms are normal. Or believe they’re signs of aging (they’re NOT!).
Others think that since they brush and floss daily they can’t possibly have gum disease. But as many as 30% of people have a genetic susceptibility to gum disease that make them far more likely to get it even if they practice excellent oral hygiene.6
Protect Yourself!
The only way to protect yourself from all the problems associated with gum disease is to see us regularly for careful examinations and early treatment. Just give us a call. We’ll be happy to put you on the road to better dental – and overall – health.
- Healthy Gums and a Healthy Heart: The Perio-Cardio Connection, Perio.org, www.perio.org/consumer/peri_cardio.htm
- Ibid.
- Gum Disease Links to Heart Disease and Stroke, Perio.org, www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.heart.htm
- Periodontitis Associated with Developments of Type 2 Diabetes and Its Complications – Oral Disease Treatment Can Help Control High Glycemic Levels, www.diabetes.org/formdia/2008/periodontitis-associated-with.htm
- Gum Disease Signals Diabetes Risk, New York Times, http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/gum-disease-signals-diabetes-risk/
- Fallacies About Gum Disease, Perio.org, www.perio.org/consumer/fl.html