Periodontal and other Disease:
 
Research has found links connecting the health of your mouth, example-active periodontal disease and the number of other bodily health issues such as:
1) Heart Disease
2) Diabetes
3) Dementia
4) Rheumatoid Arthritis
5) Premature birth
Researchers have not conclusively linked to what exactly it is but suspect that the Oral bacteria escapes into the blood stream and can injure major organs.
 
INFLAMMATION: is likely the common factor. Periodontal disease, marked by inflammation may boost inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation in turn, is an underlying problem in diseases including heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. 

When foods containing carbohydrates (sugars, starches), such as milk (not just unhealthy junk foods), soft drinks, cakes or Candy’s are consumed, plaque develops on the teeth.
 
Bacteria that normally resides in the mouth thrive on these foods and as a result produce acid as their byproduct. Over a period of time these acids will destroy tooth enamel which in turn results in tooth decay.
 
What most do not know though, is that plaque is able to develop on the tooth root surfaces UNDER the gingiva (gums). This plaque can then contribute to the eventual breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth/teeth throughout the dentition.
 
Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease(s):
 
(1) first being gingivitis. Gingivitis results in the swollen sometimes tender gingival tissue (gums) that sometimes bleed….. does anyone remember the “pink in the sink” commercials? If you do, gingivitis is what the commercials were drawing attention to.
(2) if left unchecked or addressed through regular dental hygiene visits, gingivitis can progress to Periodontal disease. A severe gum disease. With periodontal disease you still have the above characteristics of the gingiva (gums) + the gingiva tissue pulls away from the teeth, allowing the bacteria present to destroy the underlying bone responsible for supporting the teeth. 

As per the peer reviewed article on WebMD, plaque is known to be a sticky, often colorless film of bacteria that adheres to your teeth. Plaque is the reason the tooth will have that "fuzzy" feeling by days end or if you've forgotten to brush your teeth.

A growing body of research is finding that bacteria and inflammation in your mouth has an impact on overall health of the body. Specifically linking it to issues such as heart attach and dementia to name a couple. This obviously can be a contributing factor that may jeopardize your overal health.

Stay tuned this week for further revelations about plaque and your teeth and how it can contribute to poor overall health of your body.