PERIODONTAL HEALTH AND YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

It may not be immediately obvious how periodontal disease, or gum diseasecan affect your general health, but there is a distinct and important connection. Experienced periodontist Dr. Adam Chapnick warns of the potentially serious effects gum disease can cause. Some research has shown a link between periodontal health and cardiovascular disease and strokes.

Periodontal disease threatens affected tissue, bone and teeth. Every tooth lost or weakened creates a potential for a gap that can result in misaligned teeth. This in turn can result in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, bite problems, chipped or broken teeth, or increased potential for tooth decay. If any disease or decay is not caught and treated in time, it can lead to health problems beyond your mouth.

Missing teeth are associated with bone and tissue loss, leading to further problems. TMJ often goes undiagnosed, and the pain associated with it, unrelieved. Chronic pain sets off its own domino effect.

Periodontal disease is both preventable and treatable, and early treatment is the best cure. Watch for symptoms of periodontal disease such as:

• Bleeding or inflamed gums
• Pus between gums and teeth
• Gums that have separated from teeth
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth
• A change in your bite
• A change in how your dentures fit

If you have any symptoms of periodontal disease, you should contact Dr. Chapnick as soon as possible.

For more information on periodontal disease or to schedule a periodontal consultation in Toronto, please contact Dr. Adam Chapnick of Chapnick Dental Office today.