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More than 75 percent of American adults have some form of gum disease, according to this report from the New York Times. Thirty percent of people are genetically susceptible to gum disease. Photo: Fotolia -
Gum disease may be contagious. “Researchers have found that the bacteria P. gingivalis may be contagious after exposure to an infected person over a long period of time,” the New York Times reports. Photo: Fotolia -
Not only can diabetes increase your risk of gum disease, gum disease can also lead to high blood sugar levels found in diabetic patients. Photo: Dmitry Lobanov, Fotolia -
Gum disease is associated with heart disease, although scientists are still researching whether one directly causes the other. Research does show that periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease, The American Academy of Periodontology reports. Photo: Haag + Kropp GbR, Fotolia -
Some gum infections can lead to endocarditis, a bacterial inflammation in the lining of the heart. Photo: Fotolia -
Gum disease often does not have noticeable symptoms, but it does cause an immune response in the body just like any other disease would. It can increase the body’s white blood cell count. Photo: Simin, Fotolia -
Research has also found that people with diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia (stroke) are more likely to have an oral infection, the American Academy of Periodontology reports. Photo: Levente Gyori, Fotolia -
Men with gum disease were found to be 49 percent more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer and 30 percent more likely to develop blood cancers, the American Academy of Periodontology reports. Photo: Fotolia -
Bacteria from the mouth can also be carried to the throat and lungs, making respiratory illnesses more likely and worsening chronic conditions such as emphysema, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Photo: Fotolia -
People who don’t floss could start to look older faster, as gum disease wears away the bones that support your teeth and the lower portion of your face. Photo: Jeremy Allen, Fotolia -
A study in Turkey found that treating periodontitis in patients with erectile dysfunction appeared to lessen the symptoms of erectile dysfunction after three months, Fox News reports. Photo: Fotolia -
Scientists at the West Virginia School of Dentistry are studying a link between gum disease and memory loss in elderly patients, the American Dental Association reports. Photo: Photographer:SerrNovik (Sergey Novikov) , Fotolia -
Studies suggest that the bacteria that cause moderate-to-severe periodontal disease in pregnant women increase the risk of premature birth and low-birth-weight infants, the New York Times reports. Photo: Fotolia -
Gum disease can also increase the risk of preeclampsia, or very high blood pressure during pregnancy, according to the New York Times report. Photo: Fotolia
© 2013 Hearst Communications Inc.
© 2013 Hearst Communications Inc.
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