You’ve been putting off your dental checkup. Your schedule is crazy and it keeps slipping your mind. Your teeth look fine, so it’s not a big deal, right?

Actually, putting off those dental checkups could be putting you at risk for gum disease even if you don’t see any obvious signs of the disease.

What’s the big deal about gum disease?

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, the risk factor for heart disease could be twice as high for people with periodontal (gum) disease. In just the U.S., heart disease kills over 550,000 people – every year.*

With advanced gum disease, bacteria in the gums can travel through the bloodstream, which is the link scientists believe can directly increase a patient’s risk for a heart attack.

Gum disease is a serious medical condition that some people don’t even realize they have. Advanced periodontal disease causes obvious symptoms like:

• Inflamed gums
• Loose teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Receding gums
• Pus pockets

While advanced periodontal disease might be easy to spot, symptoms of early stages of gum disease are more subtle; so much so you may have it and not even realize it. This is why daily brushing and flossing and a minimum of twice yearly checkups with Serene Oaks Dental  are so important. Contact your Minneapolis dentist today to schedule your appointment. Your heart will thank you!

*Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/heart-disease.htm