I attended a course this week on the effects of periodontal gum disease on other diseases.  The latest research shows that just about every disease is greatly worsened by inflammation, and the most common cause of inflammation in the body is periodontal gum disease.   Uncontrolled diabetes often becomes controllable after gum treatment.   Unmanageable heart disease and high blood pressure greatly improve with gum treatment.  The course discussed so many other diseases that greatly improve  once the inflammation from the gums is removed.

The extent of gum disease is determined by measuring the depth of the gum pockets.  With shallow pockets, the treatment is daily flossing.  With deeper pockets, in office cleanings, root planing, and possibly other approaches are needed.