Periodontal Health Effects

Infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body. For a long time it was thought that bacteria was the factor that linked periodontal disease to other infections in the body; however, more recent research demonstrates that both bacteria and inflammation may link periodontal disease to other chronic conditions.

Research has shown that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, pneumonia, strokes, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, osteoporosis/osteopenia and low birth weight babies. Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases, but may also help with the management of other chronic conditions.