January 30, 2001 – Healthy gums are a risk factor for many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, respiratory disease and preterm birth. Similarly, certain health conditions can contribute to gum disease.
Here is a summary of recently highlighted relationships.
According to an ongoing study of 2,500 women, women with gum disease are three to eight times more likely to give birth to a premature baby. And the more severe the problem, the greater the risk of preterm delivery, according to Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat, director of the department of periodontics at the School of Dentistry at the University of Alabama.
For their part, diabetes and osteoporosis increase the likelihood of suffering from gum disease: diabetes, by inhibiting the immune response, makes the gums more vulnerable to infections, and osteoporosis weakens the bone and accelerates the periodontitis bone erosion process.
The solutions ? Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, visit the dentist once a year, and have your teeth cleaned twice a year. Antimicrobial mouthwash can also help prevent bacterial overgrowth.
HealthPassport.net
According to Prevention, February 2001
