The emerging area of periodontal and systemic links is one that could have significant impact on public health, Genco noted. The findings may be life-saving for some of the nearly one million people who die annually from heart disease, he suggests. The AAP is a 7,000-member organization of dentists specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tissues surrounding the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of eight dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. This research concurs with other recent findings that support the association between periodontal disease and family members.
Researchers suggest bacteria that cause periodontal disease pass though saliva.
This means that the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. If one family member has periodontal disease, the AAP recommends that all family members see a dental professional for a periodontal disease screening. These findings could result in the early identification and treatment of at-risk patients.