For centuries, those about to purchase a horse looked in the horse’s mouth as a means of assessing the horses age and health– outward appearances can be misleading. Primarily, horse buyers have been looking for distinct and quite reliable indicators of the horse’s actual age. In recent decades, there’s growing evidence of the importance of looking in humans’ mouths – not so much to determine age, but to potentially predict problems with not only their oral health, but also their general health.

The connections between oral health and general health are truly amazing. If you think you might have periodontal disease – it could be an indicator that something more serious is going in with your health. You should consult with a  Chicago dentist to get an oral check up as soon as possible.

Periodontal disease has been shown to have a strong relationship (causative in many cases) to the following medical situations:

• Cardiovascular issues (heart attacks and strokes) – Studies are ongoing to establish periodontal disease as having a causative effect.
• Premature delivery/low birth weight – Observations and studies show a strong tie to the mother’s gum disease, if it exists.
• Diabetes control – That people with diabetes are prone to gum disease has been known for many, many decades, but newer studies suggest that untreated gum disease can make it hard to control blood sugar levels.
• Respiratory health – In hospitals and nursing homes, evidence suggests that severe gum disease can result in inhalation of bacteria and the development of bacterial pneumonia. Studies are also being used to determine whether gum disease causes flares of respiratory disease in people with COPD.