Does it affect general health?

A number of studies published in the last decade have revealed a relationship between periodontitis and other conditions, such as:

  • Greater chance of cerebrovascular accidents.
  • Impaired metabolic control of sugar in diabetics.
  • Greater chance of pregnant women with periodontitis giving birth to babies that are underweight or premature.

This is due to the spread of the bacteria that cause periodontitis from the gum to other parts of the organism.