Your mouth, your heart
Periodontal disease and heart disease often coincide. While periodontal disease doesn't necessarily cause heart disease, and vice versa, there is increasing evidence that these two diseases are associated. (1, 2) Fortunately, improvements in oral health, like the elimination of an oral infection, can lower blood pressure and have a positive influence on cardiac health. (3)

1. Wu et al. University of Buffalo study. Arch Int med October 2000.
2. Loesche WJ. Periodontal disease as a risk factor for heart disease. Compendium 25:976-982.
3. Journal of Periodontology, October 2004.

Diabetes and oral care
Diabetes has a whole host of severe implications for the body. One important and often forgotten implication is gum disease. The relationship between diabetes and gum disease is bi-directional. Diabetes can worsen gum disease and, at the same time, gum disease can make diabetes harder to control.

What pregnant women should know
Oral care is always important, but it’s even more of a priority during pregnancy. The bleeding gums that many pregnant women experience are due to an elevated risk of gingivitis that usually develops during the second trimester. This risk is attributed to an increase in estrogen and progesterone, which stimulates blood flow, making it easier for plaque to develop on the teeth. However, a thorough oral care routine can help pregnant women remove plaque from their teeth and reduce the risk of gum disease. This is especially important because bacteria found in diseased gum tissue have been linked to premature delivery. (1, 2, 3, 4)

1. Journal of Clinical Periodontology (2005) 32, 45-52
2. Journal of the American Dental Association (2001) 132, 875-880.
3. Journal of Periodontology (1996) 67, 1103-1113.
4. Journal of Periodontology (2002) 73, 911-924.