How Kissable Are You?

Periodontal Treatment Newport NewsGum disease could prevent your pucker!

Do you know what it takes to be certified kissable? Even if your smile looks healthy, there’s a good chance you have gum disease lurking. Scientific research shows that up to 80 percent of the adult population has some level of periodontal disease – and only 10% know it. To top it off, gum disease is an infectious disease, which is easily spread within families and among friends.

Gum disease is a bacterial infection and the number one reason for tooth loss. The infection can destroy the gums as it erodes away the jaw bone, eventually causing pockets of pus and decaying tissue around the teeth. Sadly, this is a silent disease until its more advanced stages.

Periodontal disease is also believed to play a role in the development and presence of many life-threatening diseases in the body.

Therefore, controlling your dental health is critical to your overall health. The bacteria that cause gum disease can spread from your mouth to the rest of your body. Research has shown links between gum disease and diabetes, heart attack, stroke, lung and kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, premature birth, as well as other complications during pregnancy and multiple forms of cancer to include breast, prostate, pancreatic, lung and kidney cancers.

As for prevention, it’s important to get in early for proper evaluation, testing and periodontal treatment if you show any signs of gum disease such as bad breath or bleeding when you brush or floss.

Are you certified kissable? New patients are welcome to call for a periodontal screening so we can let you know.

We’ll even extend a complimentary periodontal screening to any of your loved ones, including your children. (Parents are typically the first to “infect” our infants with the bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.) As with any infection, the sooner we eliminate the cause, the better.