Does gum disease indicate future joint problems? Although researchers and clinicians have long known about an 
association between two prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases—periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—the microbiological mechanisms have remained unclear.
New research has uncovered how the bacterium responsible for periodontal disease, P. gingivalis, worsens RA by leading to earlier onset, faster progression and greater severity of the disease, including increased bone and cartilage destruction.
Studies indicate that compared to the general population, people with periodontal disease have an increased prevalence of RA and periodontal disease is at least two times more prevalent in RA patients. Other research has shown that a P. gingivalis infection in the mouth will precede RA, and the bacterium is the likely culprit for onset and continuation of the autoimmune inflammatory responses that occur in the disease.
Prevention of periodontal disease can, therefore, help prevent the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
If you, your family or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,
39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360. www.drshooverandyanda.com
thing, a bacterial infection in the gum could affect the placenta, the organ that links the fetus with the mother’s uterus. There has been some concern over the years about a link between periodontal infection—gum disease—and pre-term, low-birth-weight babies.
new method of paying for dental services that is becoming very popular. A Concierge Plan is an in-office plan that helps patients afford their needed dentistry. It is not traditional dental insurance, but rather a “membership plan”, similar to plans like Costco, Amazon Prime, Sam’s Club, etc. For one very affordable annual fee, a patient in our office receives a comprehensive exam for new patients, two professional cleanings and two periodic exams per year, an emergency exam if needed, a full-mouth series of x-rays every five years, one set of bitewing x-rays per year, two fluoride treatments per year if needed and 15% off of any other dental treatment they have done within that year. There is no limit on how much dentistry can be received. We have other plans too for families and for periodontal patients who need more frequent cleanings.
thing you can do for your dental health is visit your dentist regularly. If it’s been a while since your last checkup, resolve at this start of the year to call and make an appointment for a thorough examination and cleaning.