"The mouth is the barometer of the whole body." Sir William Osler, 19th Century Physician and Researcher
PERIODONTITIS	SEVERE PERIODONTITIS
"SEVERE PERIODONTAL DISEASE IS EQUVALENT TO A WOUND OF ABOUT 8 SQUARE INCHES ON YOUR SKIN!!!!!" Denise Grady, American Academy of Periodontology Chicago, New York Times News February 1998
Recently, newspapers and periodicals have been reporting on research which shows a correlation between periodontal disease and stroke, heart attack, diabetes, pre-term, low birth weight infants and stomach ulcers. About 65 percent of the adult population in this country suffer from some form of periodontal disease. The major cause of this disease is the accumulation of bacteria-ridden plaque under the gum line.
	* Periodontal disease is an infection between your teeth and gums.
	* By-products of bacterial infections cause bone loss; therefore, loosening of the teeth and tooth loss.
	* Periodontal disease is a long-term degenerative disease that must be controlled.
	* The treatment of choice is no longer surgery. Anti-infective therapy is usually successful without gum surgery.
	* Microbiological tests and anti-infective therapies are used in the treatment of gum infection in the same way your physician would culture and treat an infected wound.
	* Treatment takes into account both local factors and systemic risk factors treating causes, not just effects.
	A
		D
* There are steps you can take at home to combat bacterial growth under your gums, such as using irrigating devices with anti-infective solutions.	B
* Toothbrushes, dental floss and mouthwash are designed to clean your teeth, NOT to effectively treat destructive bacterial infections under your gums.		E
* Using hand and ultrasonic instruments, our hygienists meticulously clean the teeth, gums and root surfaces in combination with anti-infective irrigants.	C