You may have noticed that Periodontal Gum Disease, sometimes called Periodontal Disease or just Gum Disease has been hitting the headlines just lately. There have been some rather surprising links uncovered in scientific research between Gum disease and other medical conditions that would, at first glance, appear to be completely unrelated. What these findings emphasise, is how important it is to take care of our own gum health if we are to remain healthy and avoid the health problems that periodontal disease has been linked to.

Research in Universities both in Europe and in the USA have found that coronary artery disease is more than twice as likely in people who have very poor dental health than in those who did not.

In pregnant women, severe periodontal gum disease can lead to premature birth, or even still birth. It was in February 2010 in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology that this made headlines in the USA.

The UK’s Dental Foundation also brought this problem to public attention in early 2010. It was pointed out that if pregnant women with serious periodontal disease received treatment to combat this problem, it would preven some premature births from occurring.

At the same time, it is very evident that genetics plays a large part in which individuals will get periodontal gum disease and which will not. However, in light of the findings about links to heart disease, premature births and other conditions such as diabetes and stroke, we should all be vigilant when it comes to our dental health.

It is possible that you might have gum disease if you experience any bleeding when flossing your teeth or if you feel that your gum line has receded. It is important to learn how to take care of our own gum health and avoid gum disease. It now seems certain that having healthy gums is much more important than we might have realised in avoiding other serious medical conditions.