Gum disease is a known risk factor for heart attack and stroke, liver and kidney failure, pregnancy complications, and a host of other systemic diseases and illnesses. New research conducted during the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study on more than 73,000 women has now linked advanced periodontitis to yet another deadly disease – breast cancer.
According to this latest research, post-menopausal women who develop gum disease are 14% more likely to also develop breast cancer, regardless of family or medical history. As with other complications linked to gum disease, risks for breast cancer seem to increase as bacterial infection from the gums spreads throughout the body. Your best defense against this risk? A solid oral hygiene routine.
Brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing both morning and night are your first line of defense against gum disease. Combining these with twice yearly visits to our Denver office for professional cleanings and examinations helps ensure prompt and potentially lifesaving treatment when gum disease is caught early. If you begin to notice symptoms of gum disease such a bleeding gum tissue in between visits, call us at 303-321-5656 to schedule a treatment evaluation right away.
If you are overdue for a dental cleaning, please contact DeWitt Dental Associates to schedule your next appointment. Located in Denver, we welcome patients from Cherry Creek, Englewood, and all surrounding Metro communities.
