Brushing correctly twice a day, flossing correctly daily and seeing a dentist and hygienist two to four times a year are crucial in preventing periodontal (gum) disease. Eighty percent of adults have periodontal disease, according to Dr. Chris Kammer of the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, but many of them are unaware of it. The disease increases levels of bacteria that travel from the mouth to rest of the body, contributing to complications such as arterial plaque and atherosclerosis.

"Most people don't think of their dentist when it comes to health problems that are not found in one's mouth. But a dentist can actually be the first line of defense in reducing the risk for many of the most deadly diseases," Kammer stated in a news release issued this month.

Highlights of findings on the connection between oral health and serious diseases:

• Periodontal disease can result in tooth loss, which increases risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack.

• Dental care is especially important for people with diabetes because hyperglycemia complicates control of periodontal disease. For the millions of people with diabetes that has not yet been diagnosed, bleeding gums and other markers of periodontal disease can be symptoms of their diabetes and lead to diagnosis and treatment.

• Treating gum disease may reduce women's risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy, according to recent research.

• A recent study by the American Association for Cancer Research found that a history of gum disease increased men's risk of pancreatic cancer by 63 percent, even after accounting for other factors such as diabetes.

  Kammer urged people with symptoms of periodontal disease, such as red gums or bad breath, to see a dentist. "If you washed your hands and they started to bleed, you would be alarmed, right? Then how come the majority of people are not alarmed when they brush their teeth and their gums bleed?" he noted.

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