Gum Disease: Linked to Health Risks!!!!

I Had No Idea Periodontal Disease Is Linked to…

You may have seen stories in the news about the connection between periodontal disease and heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. However, those aren’t the only health conditions that are related to periodontal disease. Research has shown that having periodontal disease can put you at risk for a few surprising conditions including rheumatoid arthritis,
certain cancers, and even kidney disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Over 1.3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints that can lead to longterm joint damage. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology uncovered yet another potential side effect of RA;
researchers discovered that patients with RA are eight times more likely to have periodontal
disease than those without RA. However, the research indicates that poor oral hygiene alone did not account for the connection between RA and gum disease,
which means that other factors play a role as well. Both RA and gum disease are systemic
inflammatory disorders which may explain the connection between the two.

Cancers
Men are especially at risk for developing certain cancers if they have periodontal disease. Research published in The Lancet Oncology found that men with a history of
gum disease are 14 percent more likely to develop cancer than men with healthy gums. In fact, researchers discovered that men with periodontal disease are 49 percent more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer,
and 30 percent more likely to develop blood cancers.

Kidney Disease
A study published in the Journal of Periodontology suggests that toothless adults may be more likely to have chronic kidney disease than adults with all of their teeth. Untreated periodontal disease can lead to bone loss around teeth, which can then cause teeth to loosen and fall out. Periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. In the study, the lack of teeth was found to be significantly associated with chronic kidney disease. The two diseases may be connected by chronic inflammation, as both are
considered inflammatory conditions.

To help protect yourself from these health conditions, including periodontal disease, make sure to brush your teeth twice each day, floss at least once each day, and see a dental professional for cleanings twice each year. If periodontal disease develops, a consultation with a dentist or periodontist may lead to effective treatment. The key to a healthy body may start with a healthy mouth!

Are you at risk for periodontal disease?

Your risk for periodontal disease may increase depending on:
• Your age
• Gender
• Bleeding gums
• Tobacco use
• Family history of gum disease
To find out if you may be at risk, take the American Academy of
Periodontology’s risk assessment at http://perio.org/consumer/4a.html. The
assessment will let you know if you are at low, moderate, or high
risk for periodontal disease. Your periodontist will be happy to
discuss your results with you.

How Marijuana Effects Your Gums

Pot Smokers Have More Gum Disease

A long-term study of approximately 1,000 New Zealanders from birth to the age of 38 has found that people who have smoked marijuana for up to 20 years have more gum disease but otherwise do not show worse physical health than nonsmokers.

The researchers assessed a dozen measures of physical health, including lung function, systemic inflammation, and several indicators of metabolic syndrome, including waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, glucose control, and body mass index.

Tobacco users were found to have gum disease as well as reduced lung function, systemic inflammation, and indicators of poorer metabolic health.

“We can see the physical health effects of tobacco smoking in this study, but we don’t see similar effects for cannabis smoking,” said Madeline Meier, an assistant professor of psychology at Arizona State University and one of the authors of the study.

While study participants who had used marijuana to some degree during the past 20 years showed an increase in periodontal disease from the ages of 26 to 38 years, they did not differ from nonusers on any of the other physical health measures.

Statistical analysis also revealed that the decline in periodontal health among pot smokers was not explained by tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, or poor brushing and flossing habits. Their lack of physical health problems also wasn’t attributable to having better health to begin with or living healthier lifestyles.

“We don’t want people to think, ‘Hey, marijuana can’t hurt me,’ because other studies on this same sample of New Zealanders have shown that marijuana use is associated with increased risk of psychotic illness, IQ decline, and downward socioeconomic mobility,” Meier said.

“We need to recognize that heavy recreational cannabis use does have some adverse consequences, but overall damage to physical health is not apparent in this study,” said study coauthor Avshalom Caspi, the Edward M. Arnett professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University.

“Physicians should certainly explain to their patients that long-term marijuana use can put them at risk for losing some teeth,” said Terrie Moffitt, the Nannerl O. Keohane University professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke and co-director of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, which collected the data.

The study, “Associations Between Cannabis Use and Physical Health Problems in Early Midlife: A Longitudinal Comparison of Persistent Cannabis Vs. Tobacco Uses,” was published by JAMA Psychiatry.

 03 Jun 2016  Dentistry Today 

 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW MARIJUANA AFFECTS YOUR BODY SEE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE : www.facebook.com/MastersInstitute/

SUGAR and YOUR HEALTH: What you NEED to know

10 Ways Sugar Harms Your Health

1. Sugar causes blood glucose to spike and plummet.
Unstable blood sugar often leads to mood swings, fatigue, headaches and cravings for more sugar. Cravings set the stage for a cycle of addiction in which every new hit of sugar makes you feel better temporarily but, a few hours later, results in more cravings and hunger. On the flip side, those who avoid sugar often report having little or no cravings for sugary things and feeling emotionally balanced and energized.

2. Sugar increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Large-scale studies have shown that the more high-glycemic foods (those that quickly affect blood sugar), including foods containing sugar, a person consumes, the higher his risk for becoming obese and for developing diabetes and heart disease (1). Emerging research is also suggesting connections between high-glycemic diets and many different forms of cancer (2,3,4).

3. Sugar interferes with immune function.
Research on human subjects is scant, but animal studies have shown that sugar suppresses immune response (5). More research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms; however, we do know that bacteria and yeast feed on sugar and that, when these organisms get out of balance in the body, infections and illness are more likely.

4. A high-sugar diet often results in chromium deficiency.
It's sort of a catch-22. If you consume a lot of sugar and other refined carbohydrates, you probably don't get enough of the trace mineral chromium, and one of chromium's main functions is to help regulate blood sugar. Scientists estimate that 90 percent of Americans don't get enough chromium. Chromium is found in a variety of animal foods, seafood and plant foods. Refining starches and other carbohydrates rob these foods of their chromium supplies. (6)

5. Sugar accelerates aging.
It even contributes to that telltale sign of aging: sagging skin. Some of the sugar you consume, after hitting your bloodstream, ends up attaching itself to proteins, in a process called glycation. These new molecular structures contribute to the loss of elasticity found in aging body tissues, from your skin to your organs and arteries (7). The more sugar circulating in your blood, the faster this damage takes hold.

6. Sugar causes tooth decay.
With all the other life-threatening effects of sugar, we sometimes forget the most basic damage it does. When it sits on your teeth, it creates decay more efficiently than any other food substance (8). For a strong visual reminder, next time the Tooth Fairy visits, try the old tooth-in-a-glass-of-Coke experiment—the results will surely convince you that sugar isn't good for your pearly whites.

7. Sugar can cause gum disease, which can lead to heart disease.
Increasing evidence shows that chronic infections, such as those that result from periodontal problems, play a role in the development of coronary artery disease (9). The most popular theory is that the connection is related to widespread effects from the body's inflammatory response to infection.

8. Sugar affects behavior and cognition in children.
Though it has been confirmed by millions of parents, most researchers have not been able to show the effect of sugar on children's behavior. A possible problem with the research is that most of it compared the effects of a sugar-sweetened drink to one containing an artificial sweetener (10). It may be that kids react to both real sugar and sugar substitutes, therefore showing no differences in behavior.
What about kids' ability to learn? Between 1979 and 1983, 803 New York City public schools reduced the amount of sucrose (table sugar) and eliminated artificial colors, flavors and two preservatives from school lunches and breakfasts. The diet policy changes were followed by a 15.7 percent increase in a national academic ranking (previously, the greatest improvement ever seen had been 1.7 percent)(11).

9. Sugar increases stress.
When we're under stress, our stress hormone levels rise; these chemicals are the body's fight-or-flight emergency crew, sent out to prepare the body for an attack or an escape. These chemicals are also called into action when blood sugar is low. For example, after a blood-sugar spike (say, from eating a piece of birthday cake), there's a compensatory dive, which causes the body to release stress hormones such as adrenaline, epinephrine and cortisol. One of the main things these hormones do is raise blood sugar, providing the body with a quick energy boost. The problem is, these helpful hormones can make us feel anxious, irritable and shaky.

10. Sugar takes the place of important nutrients.                                            According to USDA data, people who consume the most sugar have the lowest intakes of essential nutrients––especially vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B-12, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and iron. Ironically, those who consume the most sugar are children and teenagers, the individuals who need these nutrients most (12).

Slashing Sugar

Now that you know the negative impacts refined sugar can have on your body and mind, you'll want to be more careful about the foods you choose. And the first step is getting educated about where sugar lurks—believe it or not, a food needn't even taste all that sweet for it to be loaded with sugar. When it comes to convenience and packaged foods, let the ingredients label be your guide, and be aware that just because something boasts that it is low in carbs or a “diet" food, doesn't mean it's free of sugar. Atkins products never contain added sugar.

Selected References

1. Bell, S.J., Sears, B., “Low-glycemic-load diets: impact on obesity and chronic diseases." Critical Reviews in Food Science & Nutrition, 43(4), 2003, pages 357-77.

2. Michaud, D.S., Liu, S., Giovannucci, E., et al., “Dietary Sugar, Glycemic Load, and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in a Prospective Study." Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 94(17), 2002, pages 1293-1300.

3. Romieu, I., Lazcano-Ponce, E., Sanchez-Zamorano, L.M., et al., “Carbohydrates and the Risk of Breast Cancer Among Mexican Women." Cancer Epidemiology and Biomarkers Preview, 13(8), 2004, pages 1283-1289.

4. Franceschi, S., Dal Maso, L., Augustin, L., et al., “Dietary Glycemic Load and Colorectal Cancer Risk." Annals of Oncology, 12(2), 2001, pages 173-178.

5. Nutter, R.L., Gridley, D.S., Kettering, J.D., et al., “Modification of a transplantable colon tumor and immune responses in mice fed different sources of protein, fat and carbohydrate." Cancer Letters, 18(1), 1983, pages 49-62.

6. “Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc." Institute of Medicine, Washington, D.C., National Academy Press, 2001.

7. Sensi, M., Pricci, F., Andreani, D., et al., “Advanced Nonenzymatic Glycation Endproducts (AGE): Their Relevance to Aging and the Pathogenesis of Late Diabetic Complications." Diabetes Research, 16(1), 1991, pages 1-9.

8. "Dental Caries and Its Complications: Tooth Decay." In The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, edited by Robert Berkow, et al. Rahway, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1992.

9. Geerts, S.O., Legrand, V., Charpentier, J., et al. “Further evidence of the association between periodontal conditions and coronary artery disease." Journal of Periodontology, 75(9), 2004, pages 1274-80.

10. Wolraich, M.L., Wilson, D.B., White, J.W, “The effect of sugar on behavior or cognition in children. A meta-analysis." JAMA, 274 (20), 1995, pages 1617-21.

11. Schoenthaler, S.J., Doraz, W.E., Wakefield, J.A., “The Impact of a Low Food Additive and Sucrose Diet on Academic Performance in 803 New York City Public Schools." International Journal of Biosocial Research, 8(2), 1986, pages 185-195.

12. Bowman, S.A., “Diets of Individuals Based on Energy Intakes From Added Sugars." Family Economics and Nutrition Review, 12(2), 1999, pages 31-38.

Memorial Day Barbecues Usher in Summer: How to Protect Your Teeth

As we enter the summer season, many of us head outdoors for various activities, many of them culminating in a cookout/barbecue with family and friends. These occasions bring us much joy and pleasure as we spend our leisure time watching the kids at the pool or a ballgame or at a park for a family picnic. But did you realize that the foods and activities associated with summer can put your teeth at risk?

3 Summer activities that can harm your teeth

Swimming: 

The chlorine in the pool water is acidic and can damage tooth enamel. To prevent enamel erosion make sure you drink plenty of water and rinse your mouth after swimming. Make sure you use a tooth paste with the ADA seal of approval, these toothpastes will provide the proper levels of fluoride to help remineralize the enamel.

Sports Activities: 

Simple activities can lead to tooth injury. All it takes is a fall or getting hit in the mouth, while playing catch, or during a family game of badminton, etc. These injuries are unexpected but common, you can protect yourself and children by wearing mouthguards while engaging in sporting activities.
  
If your summer fun leads to a broken tooth visit your dentist to prevent further discomfort and damage, He/she may repair small chips with a bonded composite restoration, but severe cracks or fractures could lead to a need for root canal treatment and in some cases loss of the tooth. If a tooth is lost many times a dental implant can be immediately placed to restore your smile.

Barbecues: 

The mouth watering foods served at the numerous cookouts attended each summer can have hidden side affects on your teeth. Although not all summer foods are bad for your teeth, some are actually beneficial to the health of your teeth and gums. Below is a short list of good and bad foods for your teeth.

Iced Coffee: Many people enjoy starting off their day with a cup of coffee, and iced coffee and summer go hand-in-hand. However, because the outer layer of your teeth is very porous, coffee is one the worst stain offenders. Avoid black coffee by adding a splash of milk or creamer to lighten it up. Drinking through a straw will also help keep your pearly whites white.

Corn: Corn-on-the-cob is a summer staple at barbecues and cookouts. Unfortunately, corn is also one of those things that gets stuck in the areas between your teeth. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth shortly after eating corn to ensure there’s no remnants left behind.

Blueberries: There’s nothing like a handful of frozen or fresh blueberries to cool off on a hot summer day. Not only are they delicious, they’re jam packed with cancer-preventing antioxidants. The downside for your teeth? The dark blue stains easily. Try to brush shortly after; if you can’t brush, at least rinse your mouth out with water to prevent the stain from setting in.

Popsicles: The perfect summer treat, popsicles in flavors like cherry, blueberry, watermelon, or grape are also known to stain your tongue, gums, and teeth. Opt for flavors like lemon or vanilla, which won’t do as much damage to your mouth.

Barbecue Sauce: Most barbec

ue sauces contain some combination of sugar, tomato paste, vinegar, high-fructose corn syrup, and brown dyes – all things which will contribute to breaking down and staining the enamel on your teeth. Try not to smother your grilled foods in it, and brush your teeth as soon as you are done eating.

Cheeses: The acid from the foods we eat can tear away at our teeth, but select dairy products can actually reduce the acid your mouth. Cheese is high in calcium, which makes teeth and bones stronger, but it also contains casein, a protein found in milk that is helpful in fortifying the tooth’s surface.

Crisp, crunchy fruits and vegetables: 

Most raw, fresh vegetables and crisp fruits are good for your oral health because their fibrous nature requires helps cleanse the teeth while chewing. All this chewing causes an increase in saliva production. In fact, celery is a great tooth-friendly food choice because it helps to clean out the mouth and break down the food for digestion. 

The reason celery is so great is because it breaks down into fibrous strands that naturally clean the teeth while chewing. For the best oral benefit, you should eat the fruits and vegetables in their raw state. 

Water: We know that iced tea and soda drinks are always flowing at the family cookouts, but might we suggest a healthier way to quench your thirst that is also good for your oral health? No surprise here, it is water!
The best way to drink water is with a few ice cubes, but if you need something a little more flavorful, try adding some fresh fruits to the water and let it sit for a few hours. Fruit-infused water can be incredibly beneficial to your health as well as your teeth. Serve it up in a nice pitcher, and you are good to go!

Raw Onion
You may be wondering why we are suggesting eating onions as they typically give you bad breath after eating them, but have no fear, a toothbrush is near! As far as the benefits go, the onion is known to eliminate bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease, so go ahead and add a few slices of these to your burger!

Your Tooth's Enamel: What You Need to Know!!!!!

UNDERSTANDING YOUR ENAMEL

Your teeth are covered with a strong coating of enamel, which, as a result, plays a very important role to their protection from decay and discomfort. And although it's the hardest substance in your body, enamel is actually pretty fragile. A number of things, from the foods you eat to the amount of force you use when brushing, can cause it to wear away.

Because it can't be replaced, your best option is to do what you can to prevent tooth enamel loss.

1. Skip the Soda

Soda may taste sweet and refreshing, but it's bad news for your teeth's enamel in large amounts. Most sodas are full of sugar, which contributes to the production of decay-causing bacteria. Even diet soda or unsweetened fizzy drinks, like seltzer, can lead to tooth enamel loss because they are so acidic. Kicking the soda habit can be challenging, but if you give yourself plenty of other options – such as water or unsweetened tea – you'll soon find you no longer miss it.

2. Watch the Citrus

Too much of a good thing is bad for you, and that includes your dental health. Although citrus fruits are high in vitamins and fiber, for example, they are also fairly acidic. Consuming a lot of oranges, grapefruits or beverages flavored with lemon juice can therefore take its toll on your teeth. Keep in mind you don't have to give up citrus fruits for good; just keep an eye on how many you eat. More importantly, drink water at the same time to rinse away its abrasive juices.

3. Go for Dairy

Some foods wear down your enamel, whereas others build it back up – as long as it hasn't been lost entirely. Cheese and dairy products help protect your teeth in two ways, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. First, eating cheese produces saliva, which helps rinse away debris and acidic residue during your meal. Cheese is also high in calcium and phosphate, both of which can help remineralize enamel that has become weaker.

4. Chew Gum After Meals

Chewing gum after meals also helps stimulate the flow of saliva, which washes acids off of your teeth and protects the enamel constantly during the day. Some types of gum are better for you than others. If you're hoping to protect your enamel, though, pick a sugar-free gum.

5. Drink in Moderation

Whether you prefer beer, wine or a cocktail, it's best to drink in moderation for the sake of your teeth (and overall health). Some alcoholic beverages are high in sugar, whereas others – such as red wines – tend to be very acidic. Alcoholic drinks are also dehydrating, which means they can dry out your mouth and reduce the production of saliva, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). When you do drink, dilute your beverage by sipping water alongside it.

6. Time Your Teeth Brushing

Brushing your teeth twice a day helps reduce your risk for cavities. But brushing too soon after a meal, particularly after eating acidic foods, can contribute to enamel erosion and the sensitivity that awaits underneath. To protect your teeth from enamel loss, wait at least 30 minutes before your brush. Use a toothpaste containing fluoride and check that is has the ADA seal of approval.

7. Brush Gently

When you do brush, remember to be gentle. Brushing too vigorously can lead to enamel erosion, too. If you're particularly concerned about enamel loss, try using an extra soft toothbrush.

 

8. Rinse Often

As with alcohol, taking sips of water while you eat sugary or acidic foods can help prevent enamel loss as well. It's also a good idea to rinse your mouth out with water when you're still waiting to brush for a while after dinner.

9. Treat Certain Conditions

Some medical conditions can damage your enamel in the same way. For example, the acid that washes up into your mouth when you experience GERD can erode your teeth very easily. Conditions such as bruxism (tooth-grinding) can also wear away the enamel. Treating the biological habits that affect your teeth can go a long way toward protecting them.

10. Work with Your Dentist

Ultimately, one of the best ways to protect your teeth's enamel is to work with your dentist. He or she can detect any erosion and offer tips on ways to reduce it. If it's been a while since you've been in a dentist's chair, book an appointment with one today.

Article from Colgate by Amy Freeman

Oral Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with mouth and throat cancers each year. Oral cancer can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissues, check lining, and the hard or soft palate. As with many forms of cancer, early detection can improve the chances of successful treatment. By taking a few minutes to examine your entire mouth, you’re taking an active role in detecting signs of oral cancer early. To minimize the risk of developing oral cancer, avoid all forms of tobacco and heavy use of alcohol.

Maintaining Oral Health During Cancer Therapy

Cancer therapy can cause oral complications that compromise periodontal health, so a visit to your
periodontist is important to help keep your gums healthy during this difficult time.

Oral Complications

Common side effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation to the head and neck, and
bone marrow transplantation can negatively impact your overall health and quality of life. Radiation
and chemotherapy kill cancer cells, but they can also hurt normal cells. Complications vary for every person, but common complications include:

• Inflamed gums and mouth ulcers

• Dry mouth

• Difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing

• Erosion of tooth enamel

• Loss of taste

• Jaw stiffness

• Delayed healing

Pretreatment Evaluation and Daily Oral Hygiene Routine

Before beginning your cancer treatment, an oral evaluation by a periodontist is important. Identifying
and correcting potential problems in your mouth may prevent them from intensifying or interfering with your cancer treatment. In addition to pretreatment care, your periodontist will probably recommend a daily oral hygiene routine. This routine will provide comfort, reduce the risk
of infection, and minimize the effects of the complications caused by the cancer treatment.

Special Considerations

Even though pre-
treatment and daily oral hygiene can go a long way toward keeping your mouth healthy and comfortable during cancer treatment, sometimes it is hard to keep the negative effects at bay.

Chemotherapy and radiation can decrease your salivary secretion causing excessive dryness in the
mouth, and a dry mouth can increase your susceptibility to infection. Therefore, it is important
to keep your mouth moist by sipping cool water, melting ice chips in your mouth, chewing sugarless
gum, applying lip balm to your lips, and using a humidifier in your bedroom to reduce oral dryness at
night. Ask you dental professional about mouth wetting agents and saliva replacement products.

If a dry mouth or vomiting is a side effect of your cancer treatment, then it is important to protect your enamel (the outer surface of the tooth). Your periodontist can prescribe fluoride trays, which will
prevent the tooth enamel wearing away as a result of vomiting or increased oral bacteria from dry
mouth. You may also want to consider asking your oncologist to prescribe anti-nausea medication
during your cancer therapy to treat nausea and vomiting.

The relationship with your periodontist is as important after your cancer therapy as it is before
and during your treatments. This continued relationship will help you maintain a comfortable, confident
smile for years.

Gum Disease: A Risk Factor for Other Chronic Diseases

What Happens in Your Mouth Doesn’t Necessarily Stay in Your Mouth

Research has shown that there may be an association between periodontal disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, among others. Scientists believe that inflammation may be the cause behind the link between periodontal disease and other
chronic conditions. Inflammation, the body’s reaction to fight off infection, guard against injury, or shield against irritation, initially intends to have a protective effect. Untreated chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can lead to the destruction of affected tissues, which can lead to more serious
health conditions.

If you think or know you have one of the inflammatory conditions listed below, it is important to talk with both your physician and a dental health professional, such as a periodontist, to help reduce your risk of further disease progression. Dental professionals and medical professionals will often work together to manage their patients living with, or at risk for, the following diseases:

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading killers of men and women each year. Research has shown that inflammation is a major risk factor for developing CVD, and that people with
periodontal disease may have an increased risk for CVD. Though more research is needed to better
understand the connection between periodontal disease and CVD, don’t be surprised if your periodontist asks you about your heart health or if your cardiologist or physician asks you about
your periodontal health.

Diabetes

Periodontal disease can be a complication of diabetes. Researchers have found that people with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease. However, the risk isn’t just one way; people with periodontal disease may find it more difficult to control their
blood sugar levels, which can increase the risk for diabetic complications. If you are living with diabetes, it is crucial that you pay close attention to your periodontal health.

Pregnancy Complications

Studies have shown that women with periodontal disease may be at an increased risk of pregnancy
complications, such as delivering a preterm or low birth weight baby. More research is needed to determine the exact relationship, but expectant mothers should consider having a periodontal evaluation to ensure that their periodontal health is at its best.

Respiratory Diseases

Research has suggested that bacteria found in the mouth can be drawn into the respiratory tract and cause an inflammatory response in the lungs, commonly known as pneumonia. In addition, periodontal disease may also worsen existing chronic lung conditions. Anyone with lung or
respiratory problems should consider a complete oral health examination to determine if gum disease is present.

Since periodontal disease has been shown to have a connection with other chronic diseases, you should try to keep your teeth and gums healthy. First, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice each day and floss your teeth at least once each day. Additionally, you should receive a comprehensive periodontal exam each year from your general dentist or your periodontist. Doing so can help ensure
that your periodontal health is at its best, which can help keep your entire body healthy.

Gum Disease Found to be Underestimated in the US

According to a 2010 study by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the prevalence of periodontal disease in the United
States ma y have been underestimated by as much as 50 percent. This means that more
Americans may have periodontal disease than previously thought, and therefore may be more
susceptible to other chronic inflammatory diseases such as CVD, diabetes, and respiratory
diseases. If you think you may have periodontal disease, talk to a
periodontist for more information.