Ask a Registered Dental Hygienist. New research supports connections between gum disease and other health problems. Research indicates that people with periodontal disease are at a higher risk for developing heart disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, a pre-term low birth weight baby and respiratory disease. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection and all infections are a cause for concern.
Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections.
Contribute to the development of heart disease , the nation's leading cause of death. Increase the risk of stroke . Increase the risk of having a pre-term low birth weight baby . Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes . Increase the risk of respiratory diseases .