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