Robert Annis, "Gum disease can lead to more than unhealthy mouth",
Noblesville Ledger, July 11, 2006,
Link:
http://www.thenoblesvilleledger.com/articles/2/073867-9442-109.html

Dental research shows a healthy body starts with a healthy mouth.

Recent studies in the Journal of the American Dental Association (ADA)
and the Journal of Periodontology made connections between gum disease
and health conditions such as heart attacks, diabetes and babies born
prematurely or with low birth weights.

Michael Mead, a dentist with Kristoff Family Dentistry in Carmel,
stressed that routine visits to the dentist could help prevent many of
the problems.

"Six-month cleanings can identify if you have the disease," Mead said.
"If you do have the disease, there are different avenues to take,
including deep cleanings or surgery."

Periodontal disease is an infection around the teeth that can lead to
receding gums, teeth loss and worse. It creates empty spaces between
gums and teeth where bacteria can prosper. Mead said bacteria from a
periodontal-diseased mouth could enter the bloodstream and cause artery
clogging.

If a deep cleaning doesn't eradicate the bacteria, then a powder
antibiotic is used in the socket, the dentist said.

One study published in the ADA found the same DNA from different kinds
of periodontal bacteria made its way to patients' heart arteries.

Other researchers tracked the dental health of 1,020 expectant mothers.
Fifty-eight percent had mild gum problems and 14 percent had
moderate-to-severe gum problems. Of the latter group, more than 28
percent had a preterm birth. Of the women whose dental health worsened
during their pregnancy, the ADA study said, they were 21/2 times more
likely to have a preterm birth.

In his 24 years of dental practice, Dr. Robin Raub of Noblesville said
patients with periodontal disease tend to have more health problems in
general, including heart problems. He warns his patients of the
potential risks every day.

Eighty percent of Americans have a form of gum disease, according to
the ADA. Symptoms include bleeding or receding gums, sores that are
slow to heal and increased spacing between teeth.