Perio Care

Gum disease can increase your chance of heart disease

A study has revealed that people who have heart attacks are much more likely to have serious periodontal disease, also called gum disease. This study, presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in 2000, indicates that gum disease is likely a risk factor for heart disease, explaining why about one-third of heart attack victims have none of the well-known risk factors like hypertension and stress, a high cholesterol level, smoking or family history of heart problems.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill observed 38 men and women who had been admitted to the hospital with their first heart attack. They were compared to an equal number of individuals without heart disease. It was found that 85 percent of the heart attack patients had severe periodontal disease, compared to just 29 percent of the healthy individuals.

The same study also revealed that periodontal disease was a stronger risk factor than diet, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cigarette smoking.

More evidence that gum disease affects your heart

In another study at the University of Michigan, 400 men over age 60 were found to be four and one-half times more likely to have coronary heart disease if they also had severe periodontal disease. This same study also revealed a possible relationship between regular dental exams and a reduced risk of stroke. "Patients who saw a dentist at least once a year were four times less likely to have a history of stroke," said researcher Dr. Walter Loesche.

Gums infected with periodontal disease are toxic reservoirs of disease-causing bacteria. The bacteria hide in pockets next to the teeth, where the gums have pulled away from the tooth's surface in response to the infection. When gums are infected like this, they usually bleed.

"Severe periodontitis is the equivalent of having about nine square inches of chronic wound around the teeth," said Dr. Mark Herzberg, a University of Minnesota researcher. This gives plaque bacteria a chance to enter the blood. This bacteria, called Streptococcus sanguis, has been shown to cause blood clots which block your arteries and can trigger heart attacks.

What can you do?

These studies indicate that gaining and maintaining good periodontal health will not only help you keep your teeth for a lifetime, it will also help to protect you from heart disease and stroke! So if you have any questions about what you should be doing to keep your gums as healthy as they can be, please ask! We'd be happy to help.

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