D   entist Question

s

and Answer

s

Q.   What is gum disease?

A. Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a chr

 onic infection that is most often caused by the

build up of dental plaque. Gum disease ra

rely shows symptoms before it is well

advanced. It is an infection that can wreak

havoc on your teeth and your overall health.

   Q. How serious a condition is it?

A. Scientific evidence is ev

 er growing that links gum di

sease (also called periodontal

disease) to a myriad of health problems

such as pneumonia and chronic respiratory

disease, heart disease, stroke, and pr

e-term and low-birth weight babies.

Q.   Does that mean gum disease can cause heart attacks?

A. No, there is no evidence at this time th

at gum disease directly

causes heart attacks.

However there is scientific evidence that s

uggests an associati

on between gum disease

and heart disease. Four scient

ific (prospective) studies have found an association between

periodontal disease and heart disease.

 One study, published in 1999 in

 Cardiovascular

, found that among Canadians aged 36 to

69 individuals with a severe gum disease had a

three to seven times increased risk of fatal

heart disease.

Q. What is the connection between stroke and gum disease?

A. Researchers have found that those with poor

oral health may be up to three times more

likely to have a stroke. [Circulation 1999; 99:1121]

Q. What is the connection between wo

me   n with gum disease and premature low

bi rth-weight babies?

A. Research has shown that women with pe

riodontal disease may be

  up to 7 times more

likely to deliver a premature low birth-wei

  ght baby. While the risk

increases with the

severity of the disease, even women with mini

mal signs of the disease

are still at risk for

low birth-weight babies. [Annals of

Periodontology 1998; 3 233-250, and Journal of

Periodontology 1996; 67 (Supplement).]