75% of adults have some form of periodontal disease. The majority of people do not know they have it, because it is usually painless in its early stages. Is chronic gum disease contributing to chronic inflammation throughout the body?

Periodontal (Gum) Diseases are linked to: – Heart Disease – Lung Disease – Diabetes – Pre-mature, low-birth weight babies

HEART DISEASE Bacteria found in the mouth can enter the blood stream and spread throughout the body. This bacteria can:  infect the heart, as well as other organs  cause inflamed coronary arteries ( can lead to heart attacks and strokes)

 Individuals with undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes

 Individuals with well-controlled diabetes have no more periodontal disease than persons without diabetes

 The rate of developing periodontal disease in a person with diabetes is two to three times greater than in those without the disease  Those with poorly controlled diabetes respond poorly to any periodontal therapy  A diabetic who smokes and is over 45 is 20 times more likely than a nonsmoking, nondiabetic to have severe periodontitis

Lung Disease or Respiratory Ailments Bacteria associated with periodontal disease can travel from the mouth to the lungs where it can lead to or aggravate respiratory diseases.

Contributing Systemic Risk Factors  Conditions, habits, or diseases that increase an individual’s susceptibility to periodontal infection

 Tobacco use  Osteoporosis  Hormone alterations  Systemic medications 

 Important risk factor in development and progression of periodontal disease  More significant than poor oral hygiene

 12 to 14 times more likely than nonsmokers to have severe loss of tissue and/or bone  Likely to lose more teeth than nonsmokers  18 times more likely to be infected with periodontal pathogens than nonsmokers

 Smoking may be responsible for more than 50% of cases of periodontal disease among adults in the US  Extent of periodontal disease is directly related to the number of cigarettes smoked and number of years of smoking

 Affects more than 20 million people in US  May be a link in skeletal osteoporosis and oral bone loss  Does not initiate tissue destruction but may aggravate the progression of periodontal disease

 Levels of sex hormones vary throughout life: ◦ Puberty ◦ Pregnancy ◦ Menopause

 Pubertal gingivitis occurs equally in males and females  Pregnancy gingivitis - Usually occurs in patients who have gingivitis before becoming pregnant

Oral changes related to: ◦ Dry mouth ◦ Burning sensation ◦ Altered taste ◦ Bone loss may be worsened

Effects of Oral Medications - Effect on Gingival Tissues - overgrowth - Effect on Salivary Flow – dry mouth Medications Associated with Gingival Enlargement - Phenytoin - Cyclosporine - Nifedipine

 More than 400 over-the-counter and prescription drugs have xerostomic effects ◦ Antihypertensives – blood pressure ◦ Narcotic analgesics – pain medication ◦ Tranquilizers - ◦ Diuretics – water ◦ Antihistamines - allergy ◦ Sedatives

 Oral cavity as Source of Infection ◦ Pathogenic bacteria enter bloodstream and cause disease in other parts of body  Relationship of inflammation in the mouth and inflammatory diseases in the body

 The good news is taking care of your mouth provides more than healthy teeth and gums – it may reduce your risk of chronic diseases or more severe forms of some chronic diseases  Pain and suffering don’t have to be an option…..

 What can you do?