What's the link between periodontal (gum) disease and other medical problems? This article highlights connections to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and low-birth-weight babies.

Not only does gum disease cause loss of teeth, but research also links it to other inflammatory diseases! When this inflammatory response becomes systemic (throughout the body), it becomes a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for systemic inflammation, shows up in higher levels in people with heart disease but decreases with treatment of gum disease.

Pregnant women with gum disease have higher levels of CRP. One study indicates that pregnant women with higher CRP are at greater risk for delivery of low-birth-weight babies. "Periodontal disease may be responsible for as many as 18% of the pretem, low-birth-weight babies born to U.S. women annually," according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Type 2 diabetics incur three times the risk of developing an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth (periodontitis). Poorly controlled diabetics are more susceptible to infection because of high blood sugar. Infection also makes control of blood sugar difficult.

Gum disease may be caused by: poor oral care; smoking or chewing tobacco; genetic factors such as abnormal systemic inflammatory responses; hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, or perimenopause; certain medications (because of decreased saliva or over-growth of the gum tissue); or by other medical conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, leukemia, or HIV/AIDS.

A telltale sign of gum disease is swollen, reddened gums which bleed easily with brushing, even with little or no pain. Professional care and good home oral hygiene help treat early stages of gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease can advance to periodontitis. The hardened tartar (calculus) causes the gums to recede and become tender. Bad breath develops and teeth become sensitive to temperature changes.

Prevention of gum disease is relatively easy and inexpensive, but treatment can be complicated and costly. "Only floss the teeth you want to keep." So say dental hygienists. Gum disease prevention begins with brushing the teeth at least twice daily and with flossing every day. Missing one day of flossing, allows the buildup of harmful tartar. See a dentist twice annually to catch problems early and allow for timely treatment.

If you have questions or concerns, please check with your dentist or with Nicki Reynolds, Parish Nurse at 314-837-1090, ext. 107.

(Information for this article was drawn from "Periodontal Disease Is a Systemwide Risk" by Connie Goldsmith, RN,MPA in the January/February 2007 issue of NurseWeek, and ADA Dental Care Channel: Tobacco and Gum Disease from Webmd.com.)