Periodontal Probings Lancaster Periodontal Associates, Lancaster PA

Periodontal Disease
What Can Happen If I Delay Treatment?

Whoopi Goldberg talks about Gum Disease - It can kill you!

Medical Risks

"People think of gum disease in terms of their teeth, but they don't think about the fact that gum disease is a serious infection that can release bacteria into the bloodstream."  Dr. Robert Genco, Journal of Periodontology

1. Heart Disease and Heart Attach
   Resent studies have shown that people with periodontal disease are 2.7 times more likely to suffer a heart attach.

2. Alzheimer's Disease
   Recent research on the causes of Alzheimer's Disease suggest that chronic inflammation early in life, such as chronic gum disease, may have severe consequences later.

3. Stroke
   Recent studies have also shown that people with periodontal disease are nearly 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke.

4. Premature Babies
   Women with periodontal disease are 7-8 times more likely to give premature birth to a low birth-weight baby. (Dr. Sommer was among several local dentists participating in a March of Dimes study in the Lancaster area that confirmed this finding.)

5. Diabetes
   Periodontal disease can raise blood sugar in diabetic patients. Periodontal treatment often results in a reduced need for insulin.

6. Your Bacteria Can Be Transmitted
   Research using DNA testing has found that periodontal bacteria can be transmitted from parent to child  and spouse to spouse.

In Summary

Periodontal disease is no longer just a problem of tooth loss and dentures. Medical research is finding many correlations between periodontal infection and serious medical problems.

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