Are your gums tender and inflamed? Do they bleed when you brush?
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a common problem that affects nearly half of adults over the age of 30. It is a bacterial infection that attacks gum tissue and supporting structures of your teeth.
Severe gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss. As serious as that is, patients of our Novato periodontics dentist are surprised to learn that there are other serious physical complications associated with the disease.
While periodontal disease, heart disease, and stroke may seem to be completely unrelated, numerous studies show that people suffering from gum disease are at twice the risk for coronary heart disease. Researchers have also found that oral infection is a risk factor for stroke.
Heart Disease and Stroke
We know now that the presence of periodontal disease can aggravate existing heart conditions. Several theories explain the link between heart disease, stroke, and periodontal disease: