Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA
Taking care of your mouth means more than just protecting your smile or keeping your breath fresh. Several recent scientific studies corroborate the notion that the condition of your mouth is an important contributing factor to your overall physical health.
In July of 2008, a research team at Columbia University followed nearly 9,300 patients without diabetes and measured their levels of periodontic bacteria over a span of two decades. Periodontic bacteria are a precursor to gum disease. The findings? People with higher levels of gum disease had a twofold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, gum disease and cardiac disease have been linked for quite some time. This is because bacteria from a mouth infected with gum disease can enter the bloodstream, affecting the body’s organs including the heart. A 2007 study by the New England Journal of Medicine found that aggressive treatment of gum disease reduces atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries) incidents within a span of six months.
Gum disease also threatens pregnant women, who are especially prone to oral health issues during pregnancy because of the fluctuations in hormone levels. A 2001 study found pregnant women with gum disease are anywhere from four to seven times more likely to give birth prematurely, and other scientific evidence indicates poor gum health can contribute to low birth weight in the infant.
A link also has been established between periodontal infection and pneumonia. Although most of the documented research has focused on high-risk segments of the population, a 2008 study of elderly participants found pneumonia to be nearly four times more prevalent in patients with gum disease.
Another study, published in 2007 by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, followed the health of more than 51,500 American men over a 16-year period. Of the 216 participants who ended up with pancreatic cancer, 67 of them also had gum disease.
Make the commitment to your oral health, and your overall well-being, and stop gum disease in its tracks. Hamilton Dental Care is experienced in treating periodontal disease. We also have an extensive array of preventive care services to help keep your mouth healthy. Contact our office at (570) 387-0533 to schedule a consultation.
Hamilton Dental Care is here to serve patients in the communities of Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA.
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