Linked Between Dental and Heart Health
Americans in particular have always been somewhat obsessed with a “healthy” smile of big white, straight teeth. While straight white teeth are frequently indicative of having a healthy mouth, these are not the only factors that determine if a person’s teeth are healthy. In recent years, the importance of healthy teeth has increased because oral health is directly related to general health. There have been studies conducted that show that poor dental health is linked to numerous disorders including heart attacks and heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and systemic inflammation.
Gum disease is indicated by red, swollen, bleeding gums in the mildest form and chronic inflammation, infection, and bone loss in the advanced stages. Gum disease is usually caused by plaque build-up along the gum line. When plaque formation is significant, bacteria is allowed to thrive which creates chronic inflammation and infection. The inflammation and irritation of the gums leads to a breakdown of gum tissue which increases the pocket depth. This gap by the teeth allows more bacteria to get nestled into the widening gap where it is then allowed to pass into the bloodstream.
Once the bacteria are in the bloodstream, it can contribute to systemic disease. The theory is that bacteria that originate in the oral cavity and related chronic gingival inflammation can activate immune responses once it makes it to the bloodstream. The immune responses are capable of provoking systemic inflammation, arterial blockages, and infection.
Recent research has determined that people with gum disease are more likely to suffer heart attacks than those with healthy gums. This is because oral bacteria and gum inflammation can cause arterial inflammation, as well as increase plaque build-up and encourage dangerous clotting in the arteries. There are a number of cardiovascular risk factors that seem to correlate with the amount of gum disease present.
A second study made headlines after it determined that gum disease is able to raise the risk of having a stroke. A research team from Columbia University discovered that the severity of gum disease related proportionally to the amount of arterial plaque found in carotid arteries. The findings revealed that arterial plaque was twice as thick in those with the worst cases of gum disease as those who had the healthiest gums. The presence of plaque in the arteries can contribute to strokes and heart attacks.
The idea is that increased blockage of these arteries due to gum disease can reduce blood flow to the brain and even promote blood clots. A research study conducted by Harvard confirmed these findings. The Harvard study comprised 41,000 healthy men who all completed a 12-year study. At the beginning, all were free from cardiovascular disease and diabetes. By the end of the study, those with periodontal disease and less than 25 teeth had a higher risk of a blood-clot related stroke.
Filed under: General Health