Protect Your Heart from Long Island Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is an infection in the gums caused by bacteria that has taken up residence in your mouth. As the infection progresses deep periodontal pockets form around the teeth where the bacteria pile in and multiply. As damaging as this process is to your mouth Long Island, gum disease now appears to trickle down to your

According to two separate studies published in the Journal of Periodontology there is substantiated evidence to support this claim. The first study evaluated 150 individuals with periodontal disease. The second study looked at the DNA of the bacteria residing in the plaque and found the exact same DNA in the individuals’ heart arteries.

So how exactly does this work? The process of begins in those deep pockets along the gum line. Each pocket contains tiny pores in the soft tissue that separates the bacteria from the blood flowing on the other side. As the bacterial infection gets worse it leads to inflammation in the gums, causing the pores to become larger allowing the bacteria to enter the blood stream and move through your body.

As this bacteria spreads through your body it gets deposited in various organs, including the heart. The deposited bacteria then begin to repopulate the new area, leading to infection. With this in mind it’s obvious that protecting your overall health starts in the mouth.

Monitor your mouth daily for signs of periodontal disease including:

• Red or swollen gums
• Frequent bleeding while brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• Changes in the way your teeth fit in your mouth
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• Loose or missing teeth

If signs of gum disease develop contact a local Periodontist right away. If you are looking for an alternative treatment for Long Island gum disease contact Dr. Scharf at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He can treat gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel.