Unhealthy Gums = Unhealthy Body

We've known for a long time that Gum Disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults. But recent research shows that gum disease is also linked to the health of your entire body.

If you have gum disease, you have a much higher risk for:

Heart Attack (2xs Higher)

Stroke (up to 3xs Higher)

Oral Cancer (4xs Higher)

Osteoporosis (2xs Higher)

Low birth weight babies (2xs Higher)

Spontaneous pre-term births (2xs Higher)

Plus, you have a higher risk of diabetes, respiratory disease, arthritis, stomach ulcer, obesity, and other diseases!

Why?

Research shows that you have FOUR times more harmful bacteria products in your blood if you have severe gum disease.

The general mechanism behind these adverse total body effects of gum disease is thought to involve, in part, a SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION response caused by mouth bacteria and their products traveling through the blood stream.

INFLAMMATION is now known to be a primary culprit in heart disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer's, and several other diseases.

In fact, C - reactive protein (CRP), which is a measure of inflammation in your body, is known to be a much more accurate indicator of future heart disease or stroke than cholesterol. Studies show by improving the health of your gums, you profoundly improve the CRP level (inflammation) in your entire body!

The "3-Legged Stool" of Healthy Gums

To improve your periodontal health, thereby improving your overall health, you do 3 main things:

1.    Clean away the bacteria

2.    Reduce the depth of the gum pockets where the bacteria live and hide

3.    Improve your body's immune defense system to protect you  

We help you do the above 3 things by combining:

1.     Better HOME CARE

2.     Effective IN-OFFICE periodontal therapy

3.    Recommendations for improved OVERALL HEALTH and for specific high-quality SUPPLEMENTS proven to promote healthy gums

And periodontal infection has been shown to be contagious, so in keeping your own mouth healthy you also help protect the health of those you love!

For more info on the Mouth-Body Connection and on the 3-Legged Stool of Periodontal Health, go to www.DentalNutrition.com or call Dr. Mike Milligan's office at 309-663-4711.