Download Periodontal Health = Total Body Health

Periodontal Health = Total Body Health
Periodontal (gum) disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults.
Research in recent years, shows periodontal disease is also intimately linked to the health of
your entire body. If you have periodontal disease, then you have a much higher risk for:
Heart Attack 2xs Higher
Oral Cancer 4xs Higher
Stroke up to 3xs Higher
Osteoporosis 2xs Higher
Low birth weight babies & Spontaneous pre-term births 2xs Higher
Plus, you have a higher risk of diabetes, respiratory disease, arthritis, stomach ulcer, obesity,
and other diseases.
Why?
Research shows that you have FOUR times more harmful bacteria products in your blood if
you have severe periodontal disease. The general mechanism behind the systemic effects of
periodontal disease is thought to involve, in part, a SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY
RESPONSE through blood-borne oral bacteria and their products.
INFLAMMATION is now known to be a primary culprit in heart disease, stroke, cancer,
Alzheimer’s, and several other diseases. In fact, C - reactive protein (CRP), which is a
measure of inflammation in your body, is known to be a much more accurate indicator of
future heart disease or stroke than cholesterol. Studies show by improving your periodontal
health, you profoundly improve the CRP level (inflammation) in your body.
So to improve your periodontal health, thereby improving your overall health, you do three
main things: 1) clean away the bacteria, 2) reduce the depth of the gum pockets where the
bacteria live and hide, and 3) improve your body’s immune defense system to protect you
and to fight off harmful effects of bacteria and inflammation.
What does this have to do with YOU?
The two critical biomarkers we use in evaluating your periodontal health are BLEEDING ON
PROBING, and increasing POCKET DEPTH (the seal between your tooth and gums).
Bleeding on Probing shows INFLAMMATION in your mouth, and is our most accurate
indicator that your periodontal health will get worse. You do NOT want ANY bleeding
ANYWHERE in your body, especially your mouth! And the less the pocket depth, the better.
On examination today you have
Bleeding Sites and
4+mm Pockets.
We will be working closely with you during your therapy appointments to improve your
periodontal health. Today more than ever our practice is aware of the need, and is able to
dramatically improve periodontal health and lower inflammation. We do this by combining
better home care procedures, with effective in-office perio treatments, and specific highquality antioxidant/anti-inflammatory supplements. Will the supplements also help your
overall health irrespective of their periodontal benefit? Yes.
For more information, go to www.DentalNutrition.com or call our office 309-663-4711.
Yours for better health,
Dr. Mike Milligan