You probably already know that gum disease is a contributing factor to heart disease. The media has done a good job publicizing this - but did you know that the list of serious disease and health problems associated with gum disease continues to grow? Stroke; Diabetes; rheumatoid arthritis; low birthweight, pre-term, and still-born babies; upper respiratory infection; alzheimer's; and the latest - prostate disease. Keeping your gums healthy is definitely not just about saving your teeth - increasingly we are finding out that healthy gums lead to a healthy body whereas diseased gums can kill you - or your unborn child. See this news on MSNBC In fact, did you know that increased levels of hs-CRP (high sensitivity C-reactive Protein) which is always elevated in patients with gum disease is a better indicator of your risk for heart attack, strokes, autoimmune disorders, and other maladies than almost anything else, including high cholesterol? Just check out Dr. Mehmet Oz' column in the Sept/Oct issue of AARP the Magazine. I see articles like this almost every week in one publication or another. Dentists have known about the dangers of gum disease for years but physicians didn't take much notice until lately. Now there is a real effort underway in Dr. Barry Dubin's JFK Dental Care to get doctors to sit up and pay attention and to help you better safe-guard your health. We have instituted a Medical-Perio Program where we partner with your medical doctor to make sure that your risk factors are taken into account and you get tested for hs-CRP when indicated. To that end you will be asked for the name, address, and phone/fax numbers of your physician so that we can send him faxes and reports regarding the status of your gums. If you do have gum disease and other health related factors such as diabetes or heart disease, we will co-treat with your doctor to make sure that your gum disease is treated so as not to contribute to a worsening of your condition.