Q: Does dental health carry implications beyond the mouth?

A: Yes. Studies have shown that taking good care of your teeth and gums can lower your risk for heart disease. Researchers have found that people who suffer from gum disease, also called periodontal disease, are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without gum disease. The bacteria that breed under the gums can spread to other parts of the body, including the blood vessels of the heart.

Also, earlier this year, the journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology" cited the case of a California woman who had a stillborn birth. Doctors determined that the baby's stomach and lungs contained the same strain of oral bacteria that the 35-year-old mother had in her untreated gum disease.

It's not uncommon for pregnant women to experience bleeding gums as a result of hormonal changes. If you're in that situation, check with your dentist about the cause of the bleeding. For the rest of us, it's a good idea to talk with our dentists and our physicians about the importance of oral health in overall well-being.

April 5, 2010