Brushing correctly twice a day, flossing correctly daily and seeing a dentist and hygienist two to four times a year are crucial in preventing gum disease. Eighty percent of adults have periodontal disease, according to Dr. Chris Kammer of the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, but many of them are unaware of it. The disease increases levels of bacteria that travel from the mouth to rest of the body, contributing to complications such as arterial plaque and atherosclerosis.
 
"Most people don't think of their dentist when it comes to health problems that are not found in one's mouth. But a dentist can actually be the first line of defense in reducing the risk for many of the most deadly diseases," Kammer stated in a news release issued this month.
 
Highlights of findings on the connection between oral health and serious diseases:

A recent study by the American Association for Cancer Research found that a history of gum disease increased men's risk of pancreatic cancer by 63 percent, even after accounting for other factors such as diabetes.

Kammer urged people with symptoms of periodontal disease, such as red gums or bad breath, to see a dentist. "If you washed your hands and they started to bleed, you would be alarmed, right? Then how come the majority of people are not alarmed when they brush their teeth and their gums bleed?" he noted.