Gum disease is an important red flag that you doctor needs to be aware of

It might not be one of the things you put on the list to talk to your doctor about, but you need to add it.

If you have gum disease, that’s a red flag. It means you’ve got an inflammation problem. And it opens the door to a whirlwind of problems.

We already know that gum disease is more common among heart disease patients. It also pumps up your risk of artery disease, metabolic syndrome, and head and neck cancer.

And then there’s arthritis.

A new study uncovered this devastating chain of events… A gum disease microbe promotes a type of arthritis similar to rheumatoid arthritis. This prompts an immune system attack, chronic inflammation, and — eventually — destruction of cartilage.

Obviously, gum disease is the lit fuse of a system-wide health crisis, not just a dental problem.

If you do get a gum disease diagnosis, share that with your doctor so you can both be on the lookout for trouble.

The best news here is that, if caught early, gum disease can be reversed.

Sources:
“Gum Disease Can Lead to Arthritis: Study” Nick Tate, Newsmax Health, 9/13/13, newsmaxhealth.com