If you value your oral as well as your overall health, a periodontal evaluation is a good idea. Sometimes the only way to detect periodontal disease is through a periodontal evaluation. Have heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis. Are thinking of becoming pregnant. Have a family member with periodontal disease.
Research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can pass through saliva.
This means the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Have a sore or irritation in your mouth that does not get better within two weeks. Links to More Information Read the AAP position paper on periodontal disease as a potential risk factor for systemic diseases. Search Journal of Periodontology abstracts for further research on specific systemic conditions to which periodontal disease has been linked. 1998 AAP video news release.