New information regarding the link between oral health and overall health is becoming more and more clear – there is definitely a connection! Some of the problems linked to periodontal (gum) disease include premature low birth-weight babies, lung disease, diabetes, and bacterial endocarditis – an infection of the heart valves. There is also a threefold increased risk of serious problems such as peripheral arterial disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Gum disease is an infection of disease-causing bacteria which also travel through the bloodstream. These bacteria are insidious because there is nothing in our awareness to let us know that they are attacking us – they sneak up on us quietly and by the time we finally have an ache or pain that sounds the alarm it is too late to do anything simple or easy. Do you want a healthy lifestyle with minimal risk of big ticket health problems? Visit your dentist at regular intervals so any problems can be diagnosed and treated in a timely way.