Receding and bleeding gums plus bad breath may mean you have periodontal gum disease, which may increase your risk for other health concerns including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung and respiratory disease, and osteoporosis. Today cosmetic dentistry often means that dental implants at the top of the dental industry spectrum,

Gum disease often progresses without pain, silently. It's easy to know if you have periodontal disease by paying attention to these signs. When you brush your teeth, your gums bleed. You may have gum disease if they are often red, swollen and tender. If your gums are pulling away from your teeth, or one of more of your permanent teeth separate from the gums and become loose, or if you have bad breath all of the time, these symptoms may be caused by an infection that causes chronic inflammation of the gums.

Statistics (outside of children's dentistry) tell us more than half those over 18 have are in early stages of periodontal disease. These numbers increase to three out of four people who are over 35.

According to several studies, people with gum infection may be more likely to get heart disease, plus those with diabetes who also have gum disease may also be at risk for cardiovascular disease. Blood vessel and heart disease are number-one causes of death for those who have diabetes.

The researchers wanted to know if gum disease had anything to do with the higher death rates for people with type 2 diabetes so they studied 628 Pima Indians who were at least 35 years old and had type 2 diabetes who lived in the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona. Part of a study by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, participants in this study had a physical exam every two years.

Everyone was grouped into one of three groups: those who have mild gum disease, those with moderate gum disease, or those with a serious gum disease. Researchers then checked on the effect of gum disease on the death rate. After 11 years, 204 of the 628 people in the study had died, and it was fifty-four of them who had died of heart and blood vessel disease. Most of the 54 died of ischemic heart disease (a type of blood vessel disease that develops from narrowed heart arteries). A number of the 204 diabetes-related deaths were a direct result of disease of the diabetic kidney.

Ultimately, the people with type 2 diabetes and serious gum disease were 3.5 times more likely to have died from ischemic heart disease or kidney disease than people with less serious gum disease. Gum disease is that it not only destroys the gum surrounding the teeth, but the supporting bone that holds teeth in place. If there are pockets or spaces between your gums and teeth, your periodontist or dentist may suggest a course of treatment that will help stop further damage to your gums and bones.

Beverly Hills dentist Dr. Bijan Afar recommends periodontal disease treatments at least twice a year or more, with a dental team to make sure there's no plaque build-up on your teeth causing gum disease.