Downloads Video library News FAQs Dental glossary Contact

Dental knowledge: gum disease

Periodontal disease raises the risk of coronary heart disease.

Most gum diseases (periodontal conditions) and their consequences can be prevented by earlier therapy, thorough oral hygiene, motivating the patient to take part, and long-term care by the dental team. Periodontal disease can affect the whole body. The inflammatory substances that collect in the deepened periodontal pockets can be carried through the bloodstream to other parts of the body and trigger further illness.

Periodontitis can therefore do considerable harm to general health. Numerous studies now document the clear correlation between poor oral health and heart attack or stroke.

Recent publications report a risk of coronary heart disease up to 25 per cent higher in patients with chronic inflammatory processes in the teeth. The connections between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis have also been investigated and documented scientifically: periodontitis markedly increases the risk of rheumatism and arthritis. Diabetic periodontitis and its oral inflammatory processes lead not only to symptoms in the mouth but to systemic consequences that influence the course of the underlying disease. All the more reason to recognise periodontal disease in good time. Early detection helps the whole body.

Answered briefly

Frequently asked questions

Numerous studies document a correlation between poor oral health and heart attack or stroke. Recent publications report a risk of coronary heart disease up to 25 per cent higher in patients with chronic inflammatory processes in the teeth. Connections with rheumatism and arthritis have also been investigated and documented.
With periodontitis, inflammatory substances collect in the deepened periodontal pockets. Through the bloodstream they can be carried to other parts of the body and trigger further illness. Gum disease is therefore not confined to the mouth but can affect general health as a whole.
Most gum diseases and their consequences can be prevented if treatment starts early, oral hygiene is thorough and the patient takes an active part. Long-term care by the dental team comes on top of that. Because the disease can also burden the rest of the body, early detection helps the whole person.