Dentists have long known that early warning signs of health issues often surface in the oral tissues. Recent research has confirmed that gum disease, a chronic infection that affects nearly 80% of adults, has a direct correlation to other illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes. In fact, patients with gum disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

In addition to heart disease and diabetes, gum disease has been linked to stroke, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, low birth weight, and dementia. (more…)