The Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of Periodontology have had a joint presentation.  Gum disease is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. 

Bacteria from gum disease has been found in the plaques that cause atherosclerosis.  It also turns out that when the bacteria from gum disease get in the blood stream (which they do continuously in patients with active gum disease) the blood vessels swell.  So by possibly stimulating plaque formation in the arteries and making the arteries swell so that the lumen becomes more narrow, patients with gum disease have a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. 

Good news though.  Two studies have shown that by treating gum disease, a patients risk for heart attack and stroke go down.  In the studies, they measured C reactive protein – a measure for swelling of the blood vessels.  When patients with gum disease and an elevated C reactive protein were treated for their gum disease – the C reactive protein levels dropped!!!

We use lasers to treat gum disease with a minimally invasive approach.  Then we use different lasers for low level laser therapy – a technique that reduces swelling and inflammation and accelerates wound healing.