Jeffrey R. Gully, DMD

Why is a “deep cleaning” (scaling and root planing) necessary?
When the plaque and tartar (called calculus) is now deep below your gumline. The procedure requires local anesthetic, and time and skill to remove.

Untreated periodontal disease (gum disease) results in eventual tooth loss.

When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it no longer receives stimulation from chewing. As a result, the body begins to break down the unused bone — a process called bone resorption.

Research shows that up to 25% of the jawbone can be lost within the first year if a missing tooth is not replaced. This bone loss mainly affects the alveolar bone, which supports the teeth, and it progresses most rapidly during the first 6–12 months.

Over time, bone loss can lead to shifting teeth, bite problems, facial changes, and difficulty placing dental implants later. What starts as a single missing tooth can gradually affect overall oral health.

Replacing missing teeth early — especially with options that restore chewing forces — helps preserve jawbone strength, facial structure, and long-term dental health.

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A new study has found that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key pathogen in chronic periodontitis, can travel from infected gums to the heart and cause structural changes. Researchers detected bacterial DNA in the left atrial appendage of patients undergoing heart surgery — an area critical for maintaining normal cardiac rhythm.

The presence of this oral bacteria was linked to myocardial fibrosis — the buildup of fibrous scar tissue in heart muscle. This fibrosis can interfere with electrical conduction pathways, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation, a serious cardiac arrhythmia associated with stroke and heart failure.

This is the first time P. gingivalis has been directly associated with structural remodeling of the heart. The findings suggest that untreated periodontal disease may silently contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction by promoting chronic inflammation and microbial dissemination.

Maintaining optimal oral hygiene and early management of periodontal inflammation is not only essential for preserving oral health — it may also protect long-term cardiac function.

🔗Full study link in the comments

🧠 Learn more : PMC9280496

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