As Goes Oral Health, So Goes General Health
Many studies are showing a persistent connection between gum disease and other ailments that afflict corners of the body far afield from the teeth. Specifically, when gingivitis (early-stage gum disease) or full-blown periodontal disease is present, it's often the case that doctors find that a patient has diabetes, kidney disorders, preterm labor, certain types of cancer, osteoporosis or even Alzheimer's disease.
It's not definitively known which comes first, however - that is, whether gum disease contributes to the other disorders or the latter lead to gum disease. But the correlation is strong enough to warrant a renewed enthusiasm, health professionals say, for flossing, brushing and visits to the dentist. Gum disease is caused by bacteria in the plaque that accumulates under the flesh enfolding the bones that hold the teeth.
The microorganisms trigger inflammation or infection in the gum tissue. They release toxic substances that attack the bone. And they may even circulate in the blood and cause damage elsewhere in the body. "It is like setting up a garbage dump on the edge of a river," says Vincent J. Iacono, former president of the American Academy of Periodontology.
"You wouldn't be surprised if the lake downstream ended up polluted with the garbage from the dump." One study suggests hope for the sick from adopting better personal dental management. The research, conducted by Maurizio Tonetti, chairman of the University of Connecticut's Division of Periodontology, investigated the health benefit to people with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, of reducing oral bacteria and toxins.
He reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that his patients, who participated in a six-month treatment for gum disease, emerged not only with healthier gums but also with improved functioning of the lining of their blood vessels.
Disclaimer
Featured Doctors
Manhattan Dentist
William Esh
West End Dental
243 West End Ave
New York City, NY 10023
Call: 888-870-4122
NY cardiac surgery
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Call: 888-904-1676
Orthopedic Reconstruction Surgery Manhattan, NYC
Columbia Center for Shoulder, Elbow and Sports Medicine
www.cses.cumc.columbia.edu
622 West 168 Street, PH11-Center
Manhattan North, NY 10032
Call: 888-687-9022
Lawrence Hospital Center Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Westchester, NY
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Epilepsy Surgery Westchester, New York
Neurological and Spine Surgery Associates, P.C.
Neurological and Spine Surgery Associates, P.C.
19 Bradhurst Ave., Ste. 2800
Hawthorne, NY 10532
Call: (888) 766-1480
NY Heart Disease Treatments
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Call: 888-904-1676
Pain Treatment New Jersey
Peter Ferraro, D.C.
Ferraro Spine & Rehabilitation
224 Midland Ave
Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
Call: 888-895-3840
Stem Cells and Parkinson's Disease
Daniel Royal
Royal Medical Group
9065 S. Pecos Rd., Ste. 250
Henderson, Nevada 89074
Call: 888-664-7161
Optimal Wellness Executive
Optimal Wellness
25 Mountainview Boulevard
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Call: 888-999-9735
Orthopaedics Surgeon Westchester, NY
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Hand Surgery New Rochelle, New York
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Hip Replacement Westchester, NY
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
anti aging clinic ny
George Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.C.
WellnessNow
700 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Call: 888-904-1676
Hand Surgery New Rochelle, New York
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Shoulder Surgery New Rochelle, New York
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Laser Vein Treatment Monroe, NY
Arlen Fleisher
Premier Vein Centers of Westchester
280 N. Central Ave, ste 70
Hartsdale, NY 10530
Call: 800-900-7749
Orthopaedics Surgeon Westchester, NY
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Lawrence Hospital Center Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Westchester, NY
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Shoulder Surgery New Rochelle, New York
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Root Canal Midtown Manhattan
William Esh
West End Dental
243 West End Ave
New York City, NY 10023
Call: 888-870-4122
Shoulder Doctor Paramus, Bergen County NJ
Roger Pollock
Dr. Roger Pollock, M.D.
suite 202 One West Ridgewood Avenue
Paramus, New jersey 07652
Call: (888) 631-1911
Hip Replacement Westchester, NY
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Lawrence Hospital Center | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Call: (888) 729-2857
Specialities
- Acupuncture
- Alternative Medicine
- Bariatric Surgery
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Surgery
- Cancer Treatment
- Cardiology
- Chiropractic
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Facial Enhancement
- Fertility Treatment
- Foot Specialist
- Foot Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- General Surgery
- Geriatrics
- Hair Replacement
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Infertility Treatment
- Integrative Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- LASIK
- Laser Hair Removal
- Medical Editorial Board
- Medical Spa
- Medical Testing
- Neurology
- Neuropathy
- Nursing Home Services
- Nutrition and Diet
- Obstetrician & Gynecology
- Oncology & Cancer
- Oncology Center
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
- Physical Therapy
- Plastic Surgery
- Podiatry
- Spinal Decompression
- Spine Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Thoracic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Vein Surgery
- Weight Loss