Periodontal Disease Linked to Major Illnesses

The first window to our general health is our mouths.  Medical doctors test blood and bodily fluids and diagnose diseases based on what appears in those lab tests.  However before we have a full fledged disease such as heart disease or Lung disease or diabetes, one needs to look in the mouth and make certain the mouth is healthy.   Unfortunately, many patients don’t give priority to their teeth and oral health.  This leads to many people not having cleanings on a regular basis.  It has been shown now in many studies that lack of gum health (gingivitis or periodontal disease) is linked to many major illnesses.  So, it is important for everyone to see their dentist for cleanings and restore teeth not just so they can chew their foods better or improve their smile but so they can live a more healthy life.