A growing quantity of data indicates that poor dental hygiene is linked to a wide variety of serious diseases. In fact, studies have linked dental hygiene problems to atherosclerosis, diabetes, and pneumonia, as well as heart attack, stroke, premature births, miscarriages, and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Periodontal disease increases the risk of a woman having a premature birth by 700 percent — and premature birth significantly increases a child’s risk of neurological disorders later in life. Studies of pregnant women found strong uterine IgM, an antibody response to specific oral pathogens, in those with gum disease. That is, the bacteria in pregnant women’s gums were causing inflammation within their uterus, thus triggering premature birth. Treating periodontal disease in pregnant women reduces the incidence of premature birth four- to five-fold. This is profound, yet few women are told this important fact during their pregnancies.
In another study, 67 patients with gum infections were compared to people free of gum disease; the presence of bacteria in their blood after chewing gum 50 times on each side of their mouth was studied. Researchers found that the number of bacteria in test subjects’ blood rose from 6 percent before chewing to 24 percent after. Those with severe periodontal disease had four times as many bacteria in their blood after chewing the gum than those with moderate to no periodontal disease.
This is important for a number of reasons. It is known that cardiovascular disease and difficult-to-control diabetes are linked to periodontal disease. Gum infections have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 200 percent. Studies also have shown that there is a direct correlation between infected gums and risk markers for heart attacks and strokes. Levels of risk markers were found to be higher in acute heart attack patients with periodontal disease as compared to those without gum infections. For the latest information on how to protect your heart, see my report "New Heart Revelations."
Another study linked periodontal disease with pulmonary infections in hospital and nursing home patients. Elderly patients with severe periodontal disease will often aspirate (leak) the infected fluid from around their gums into their lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.
Other researchers found positive lung bacteria cultures from 85 percent of hospitalized patients, and noted that chronic gum infections significantly raised hsCRP levels, a measure of low-grade inflammation. This is the type of inflammation associated with a great number of diseases, including atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative brain disorders.
And even some of the “treatments” for dental hygiene are harmful. For instance, I would caution everyone to avoid fluoride, a known toxin. My special report "Why Fluoride is Toxic" will give you all the details.
Mouthwashes with CoQ10 and other natural ingredients are best. Most important is to avoid eating sweets and chewing gum — even unsweetened gum.
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