Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Cut Your Health Care Costs

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Heart disease and gum disease are linked and new research suggests a way to cut health care costs if you suffer from both.

A study in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine looked at the medical and dental records of people with gum disease and cardiovascular disease or other chronic health problems.

The researchers found that people who had at least one gum disease treatment had lower medical costs and fewer hospital visits compared to those who ignored their gum disease. Just one visit! Patients with heart disease or a history of stroke saw their health care costs reduced 10 to 40 percent.

Gum disease causes inflammation throughout the body. Treating the gum disease reduces this inflammation and the bacterial infection. This seemed to help people respond better to treatments for other health problems.

Preventing gum disease is pretty inexpensive - all you need is a toothbrush, some floss and a visit to your dental hygienist every six months. Once gum disease has taken hold, the cost of treatment can vary depending upon the severity of the disease. The good news today is that it is far easier to treat gum disease and to stop its advance!

Save your smile and save your health care dollars by keeping your gums healthy! Please contact Dr. Kenneth A. Mogell at 561-394-9000 today to schedule your next dental hygiene visit.

Labels: gum disease