CHICAGO – June 10, 1999 – Poor oral hygiene may pose a bigger threat to Austin Powers, the secret agent with the hideous mouth whose movie sequel hits theaters this month, than his nemesis, Dr. Evil.
Neglecting the mouth is just as dangerous for the rest of us, according to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), which cites studies linking periodontal (gum) disease to heart and respiratory disease.
“When bacterial plaque is allowed to build up on your teeth, you put yourself at high risk for periodontal disease,” says Dr. Robert Schoor, president of the AAP. “And the bacteria associated with periodontal disease can travel into the blood stream to other parts of the body, jeopardizing your health.”
The impact of periodontal disease, one of the most common infections, is far more widespread than the mouth. One study found that people with advanced periodontal disease are 4.5 times more likely to have a chronic respiratory disease. Another study found that people with periodontal disease may have nearly twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack as those without periodontal disease.
While periodontal disease cannot always be avoided, proper oral hygiene is the best means of prevention.
- Daily flossing breaks up the bacterial colonies between teeth.
- Proper brushing prevents plaque buildup.
- Professional cleanings at least twice a year are necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush and floss may have missed.
- And, because there are often no symptoms of the disease in its early stages, a trip to a periodontist can determine if you have it.
The January 1999 Journal of Periodontology reports that at the very least, nearly 30 percent of people in this country age 30 to 54 have periodontitis – an advanced state of periodontal disease in which there is bone loss around the teeth. Study Abstract *
In addition to heart disease and respiratory disease, periodontal disease has been linked to diabetes and premature, underweight births.
A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Ask Your Periodontist About Periodontal Disease & Heart Disease are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.
About the AAP
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for
