In the past, oral health has been associated only with the mouth. New research has found that the advanced stage of gum disease, periodontitis, is linked with health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Some researchers have even suggested that periodontitis can cause premature birth, low birth weight, pancreatic cance, high blood sugar levels and even bacterial pneumonia.
Even though studies have linked gum disease to many health problems, the American Dental Association states that, "just because two conditions occur at the same time, doesn’t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other." Much more research is needed on this subject.
Bacterial endocarditis is a common risk associated with periodontal disease.
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