Why Dental Checkups Could Save Your Life

You’ve been putting off your dental checkup. Your schedule is crazy and it keepsslipping your mind. Your teeth look fine, so it’s not a big deal, right?
Actually, putting off those dental checkups could be putting you at risk for gum diseaseeven if you don’t see any obvious signs of the disease.
What’s the big deal about gum disease?
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, the risk factor for heart diseasecould be twice as high for people with periodontal (gum) disease. In just the U.S., heartdisease kills over 550,000 people ‐ every year.*
With advanced gum disease, bacteria in the gums can travel through the bloodstream,which is the link scientists believe can directly increase a patient’s risk for a heart attack.
Gum disease is a serious medical condition that some people don’t even realize theyhave.  Advanced periodontal disease causes obvious symptoms like:
• Inflamed gums• Loose teeth• Persistent bad breath• Receding gums• Pus pockets
While advanced periodontal disease might be easy to spot, symptoms of early stages of gum disease are more subtle; so much so you may have it and not even realize it. This is why daily brushing and flossing and a minimum of twice yearly checkups with Distinctive Dentistry of North Jersey in Totowa are so important. Visit with Dr,s Martin and Ferraiolo. Call us at 973 942 6467 today to schedule your appointment. Your heart will thank you!
*Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/heart‐disease.htm