Whoopi Goldberg shares her experience with gum disease

Local Periodontists

Sally J. Cram, D.D.S.
Sally J Cram, D.D.S.
1140 19th Street, NW Suite 410
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 785-3021
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Dental Implants & Periodontics Alexandria VA, Waldorf MD
Karl A Smith, D.D.S., M.S., M.B.A.
2500 N. Van Dorn St. Suite 128
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 894-4867
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Barry S. Kayne, DDS, Periodontal & Implant Specialist
Barry S Kayne, D.D.S.
58 Omega Drive, Suite F58
Newark, DE 19713
(302) 456-0400
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Karl A. Smith, DDS, LLC
Karl A Smith, D.D.S., M.S., M.B.A.
601 Post Office Road, Suite1-B
Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 638-4867
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Periodontics with a Caring Touch
James R Werkmeister, D.M.D., M.S.
4328 Northern Pike, Suite 102
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 856-8200
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Whole Health Consequences of Gum Disease

Gum Disease Linked to Heart Disease Diabetes and Periodontal Disease Periodontal disease leads to inflammation of the gums. This inflammatory bacteria then enters your bloodstream and travels throughout your body. Researchers have linked this process to a number of serious medical conditions. It is important to treat periodontal disease as quickly as possible to avoid the release of bacteria into your bloodstream.

"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”

Possible complications arising from untreated periodontal disease include:

A Healthy Mouth, A Healthy You

Heart Disease & Heart Attack 
Recent studies have shown that people with periodontal disease are 2.7 times more likely to suffer a heart attack.


Stroke 

Studies have also shown that people with periodontal disease are 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke.


Pre-Term Childbirth 

Women with periodontal disease are 7-8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to a low birth-weight baby.


Diabetes 

Periodontal infection can raise blood sugar in diabetic patients. Periodontal treatment often results in a reduced need for insulin.


Respiratory Disease 

Periodontal infection in the mouth can be breathed in and increase the severity of such respiratory diseases as pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.


Cancer

Recent studies have shown an significant link between periodontal disease and several types of cancer.

Periodontal Infection Is a Medical Problem

Periodontal disease is no longer thought to be just a dental problem. Researchers are finding many correlations between periodontal infection and serious medical problems.

Your Infection Can Be Transmitted

Research using DNA testing has found that 80% of all periodontal disease comes from bacteria transmitted from a parent or spouse. Patients with periodontal disease can pass their infection along to their loved ones.

Some Patients Are at Higher Risk

Patients in certain higher risk categories (see below) should pay particular attention to any signs of periodontal disease.

Those patients having a personal or family history of:

  • Heart disease
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Premature childbirth
  • Diabetes
  • Respiratory diseases

Those patients having higher risk lifestyles, including:

  • Chronic stress
  • Smoker
  • Sedentary
  • Overweight
  • Frequent colds, flu, etc.

Higher Risk Patients

If you have been told you have periodontal disease (or some of its symptoms) it is vital that you seek evaluation and treatment.