PERIODONTAL INFECTION:
General Consequences of Periodontal Infection |
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Tooth Loss |
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| Seventy five percent of all adult tooth loss is due to periodontal disease. When your gums and bone are damaged by periodontal infection, there is less support for your teeth. As this support disappears, your teeth first become loose and then can be lost. When periodontal treatment is recommended, it is important to get started right away. Natural teeth must be replaced If the infection continues, you can start to lose your teeth one at a time. These lost teeth will have to be replaced with dental work, such as: Bridges Dental Implants Partial Dentures Full Dentures |
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Dentures |
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| If tooth loss continues, it can lead to dentures. Many patients don't understand the full consequences of wearing dentures all day. There can be many problems with dentures including: 1. Inability to eat certain foods 2. Lowered ability to feel and taste foods 3. Lisping or clacking when speaking 4. Bad breath or smell 5. Pain or discomfort 6. The look of dentures 7. Self-consciousness and embarrassment 8. Looking old |
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Medical Consequences of Periodontal Infection |
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| "People think of gum disease in terms of their teeth, but they don't think about the fact that gum disease is a serious infection that can release bacteria into the bloodstream." Dr. Robert Genco, editor Journal of Periodontology |
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Heart Disease & Heart Attack |
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| Recent studies have shown that people with periodontal disease are 2.7 times more likely to suffer a heart attack. | |
Stroke |
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| Studies have also shown that people with periodontal disease are 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke. | |
Pre-Term Childbirth |
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| Women with periodontal disease are 7-8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to a low birth-weight baby. | |
Diabetes |
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| Periodontal infection can raise blood sugar in diabetic patients. Periodontal treatment often results in a reduced need for insulin. | |
Respiratory Disease |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| These correlations are particularly serious for those patients who are in a higher risk category such as: Those having a personal or family history of: Heart Disease Heart Attack Stroke Premature Childbirth Diabetes Respiratory Diseases Those having higher risk lifestyles, including: Chronic Stress Smoker Sedentary and Overweight Frequent Colds, Flu etc. |
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Higher Risk Patients |
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| If you have been told you have periodontal infection (or have some of its symptoms), it is vital that you seek evaluation and treatment. | |