Heart disease

The Connection......

In recent years, scientists have discovered a solid connection between gum disease and heart disease. It has become apparent that the inflammation process involved in gum disease causes your entire blood system to go into a state of defense and this furthers the process of arterial deteriorations that is key in heart disease. If you have a history of heart disease in your family or know you suffer from this serious medical problem, you should be especially diligent in keeping your gums healthy. You cannot assess this yourself, or manage gum disease without seeing a dentist regularly. A dentist with a special interest and expertise in gum issues would be best.

Heart Disease

Several theories exist to explain the link between gum disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks.

Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease increases plaque build up, which may contribute to swelling of the arteries.

Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease can also exacerbate existing heart conditions. Patients at risk for infective endocarditis may require antibiotics prior to dental procedures. Your periodontist and cardiologist will be able to determine if your heart condition requires use of antibiotics prior to dental procedures.

New Study Confirms Periodontal Disease Linked to Heart Disease

Data Reveals Diseased Gums Pump High Levels of Harmful Bacterial Components Into Bloodstream

CHICAGO – February 7, 2002 – A newly published study in the Journal of Periodontology confirms recent findings that people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease.

Researchers found diseased gums released significantly higher levels of bacterial pro-inflammatory components, such as endotoxins, into the bloodstream in patients with severe periodontal disease compared to healthy patients. As a result, these harmful bacterial components in the blood could travel to other organs in the body, such as the heart, and cause harm.

The study is in line with recent findings by the University of Buffalo where researchers suggest periodontal disease may cause oral bacterial components to enter the bloodstream and trigger the liver to make C-reactive proteins, which are a predictor for increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

"We found the mouth can be a major source of chronic or permanent release of toxic bacterial components in the bloodstream during normal oral functions," said Dr. E.H. Rompen, director of the study. "This could be the missing link explaining the abnormally high blood levels of some inflammatory markers or endotoxemia observed in patients with periodontal disease."

Researchers studied 67 patients of whom 42 were diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontitis and the remaining 25 patients were healthy individuals who had never received periodontal treatment. Blood samples were taken before and after patients lightly chewed chewing gum 50 times on each side of their jaw. Researchers found the number of patients with endotoxemia rose from six percent before chewing to 24 percent after chewing. Additionally, those with severe periodontal disease had approximately four times more harmful bacterial products in their blood than those with moderate or no periodontal disease.

"While this clinical study supports earlier findings, there is still much research to be done to understand the link between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular, and difficult-to-control diabetes," said Kenneth Bueltmann, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "This data clearly stresses the importance of regular dental checkups to ensure a healthy, diseased-free mouth."

Periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. When this happens, gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets that fill with plaque and even more infection. As the disease progresses, these pockets deepen even further, more gum tissue and bone are destroyed and the teeth eventually become loose.

Stroke

Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal disease and incidence of stroke. In one study that looked at the causal relationship of oral infection as a risk factor for stroke, people diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia were found more likely to have an oral infection when compared to those in the control group.

Find Out More

AAP Statements and Press Releases.. If you "google" any of these references, you will find terrific information that is far, far more indepth!..

Deep Periodontal Pockets Increase Risk for Electrocardiographic Abnormalities
Periodontal Disease, C-Reactive Protein and Overall Health
Why Periodontal Disease May Pose a Risk to Your Health (Video News Release 7/9/98)
New Study Confirms Periodontal Disease Linked to Heart Disease (2/7/02)
C-Reactive Protein - A Predictor of Heart Disease - Is Elevated in Patients with Periodontal Disease (9/20/01)
The Mouth Is the Mirror to Overall Health (8/15/00)

Consumer Information

Do You Have Periodontal Disease? Take the Test
Locate a periodontist near you for an evaluation
View a free brochure sample on periodontal disease and heart disease.

En Español

Encias Sanas y Cuerpo Sano/Enfermedad periodontal - Hoja informative
Enfermedad Periodontal y Enfermedad

Brush and Floss to help prevent heart disease.........

It takes only six minutes a day to keep your gums in the pink and help prevent heart disease. People with periodontal disease face nearly twice the risk of heart attack as their healthy gummed people. But you can zap that risk by brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing for two minutes each night.

Diligent brushing and flossing can help. The secret is in the technique. Hold a soft toothbrush against your gums at a 45 - degree angle and lightly massage with short, circular strokes. For the best protection, go the full two minutes. (Most people brush for fewer than 30 seconds.)