Dentists and doctors have recently discovered how periodontitis, gum disease, does more than cause big bills at the dentist's office. It may also be responsible for triggering conditions like heart disease, diabetes and stroke. That's because oral bacteria are nasty critters, and once they've infiltrated the gums, they can travel through the bloodstream and cause infections all over the body, particularly the heart valves. The situation is especially serious for diabetics, who have a weakened healing system. But now researchers are learning that premature births also may be linked with periodontal disease, possibly shedding light on why about one out of every 10 women give birth prematurely. Read more about gum disease.
