Sullivan Periodontics

11/26/2025

A new study reveals gum disease treatment can reduce cardiovascular risk by 10% annually, and intensive dental cleanings show significant heart health benefits.

11/24/2025

Gum health = overall health.

New evidence is strengthening the link between periodontitis and atrial fibrillation. Researchers report that chronic gum inflammation may increase the likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation and worsen outcomes in patients already diagnosed.

Persistent periodontal infection appears to drive systemic inflammation, immune activation, and atrial fibrosis. These biological changes may create the conditions for abnormal electrical activity within the heart.

The review highlights that periodontal treatment, including professional scaling and improved oral hygiene, significantly reduces inflammatory markers associated with atrial fibrillation risk.

Experts propose that oral health should be incorporated into integrated cardiac care, as managing gum disease may become a key strategy in preventing and controlling atrial fibrillation.

🔬Source: Stanisław Surma, Gregory Y H Lip, Periodontitis and atrial fibrillation, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2025;, zwaf626.

07/02/2025

57 and counting!!

With 57 (and counting!) systemic illnesses exacerbated by oral inflammation, it’s important to know how oral bacteria travels elsewhere in the body. Join us in this episode of...

06/19/2024

As my grandmamma used to say: Prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Periodontitis, an inflammation of the structures supporting the teeth, significantly increases the risk of stroke in people under 50 years of age who do not have any known predisposing causes. A study in the Journal of Dental Research indicates that the more the inflammation had progressed in the mo...

06/19/2024

Gum disease and prevention are important to overall health.

Oral health is a component of overall health. Previously, oral health and overall physical health were seen as separate. Dental hygiene was not often

04/10/2024

Oral health and overall health, the research continues.

Study results suggest therapies targeting these bacteria in tumors could help reduce the severity of some colorectal cancers.

12/28/2023

Oral health is related to overall health. Gum disease, broken teeth with cavities, retained root tips are all infections. Just because they don't hurt they may be causing harm.

Former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams’ cause of death has been determined to be dental-related sepsis, according to an initial case summary report released by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office.

07/12/2023

Alzheimer's and gum disease, overall health are important.

Our grandmother is 76 years old and has Alzheimer's disease. My siblings and I are helping our mom care for her. We'd like to know what to expect regarding dental care. Her dentist has other patients with Alzheimer’s and says it gets difficult to treat them as the disease advances. We want to be p...

06/28/2023

Gum health and overall health. Gum disease often does not hurt but may be hurting you in other ways.

04 MAR 21 - A new study has found that people with advanced gum disease are much more likely to suffer complications from coronavirus, including being more likely to require a ventilator and to die from the disease.

06/14/2023

Have your periodontal health checked and treated to avoid a chronic infection/inflammation in your boday.

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. Hygienist Jo-Anne Jones shares how dental disease and inflammation are connected.

02/11/2023

Thank you to to Dr. Fairburn, Dr. Link, Dr. Tickle, Brian and the staff of Sullivan Periodontics in conjunction with Love, Inc. and Homeless Connect. It was a good day providing dental services for those in need.

02/07/2023

Oral health and heart health something to think about this February during gum disease awareness month.

Researchers find a correlation between periodontitis and fibrosis scarring to an appendage of the heart’s left atrium that can lead to AF.