There is increasing evidence that periodontal disease Periodontal disease (gum disease) and heart disease may be linked, especially when it comes to plaque buildup in the arteries and the risk of serious cardiovascular events.
The American Heart Association (AHA) released a scientific statement this week explaining how bacteria from inflamed gums and the mouth enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation of blood vessels.
The research team looked at past research showing that people with worsening periodontal disease tend to be at higher risk for several major cardiovascular diseases, including: heart attack, strokeirregular heart rhythm, heart failure, peripheral artery disease.
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“Your mouth and your heart are connected,” Andrew H. Tran, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist and director of the Preventive Heart Disease Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, said in a press release.
Nathan Estrin, a Florida-based periodontist, agreed that there is a “clear link and connection” between periodontal disease and periodontal disease. cardiovascular disease.
“If you have plaque on your gums, there’s a good chance you have plaque in your arteries,” Estrin, who was not involved in the study, told FOX News Digital. “Gum disease and poor oral hygiene can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and damaging blood vessels and increasing the risk of heart disease.”
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When does periodontal disease begin? bacteria and plaque It builds up around the teeth and gums. Over time, this can cause chronic inflammation in the mouth, according to multiple medical sources.
This inflammation is known to be one of the key factors in atherosclerosis, the process by which fatty plaques build up in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.
AHA researchers noted that periodontal disease shares many risk factors, including smoking, diabetes, and heart disease. high blood pressure and obesity — making it difficult to distinguish the effects of periodontal disease from these other effects.
Although there is evidence of a clear link between periodontal disease and higher cardiovascular risk, researchers noted that it has not yet been proven that periodontal disease directly causes heart disease.
“Most of the evidence is observational studyDr. Sergiu Dalabant, a cardiologist at the Miami Heart and Vascular Institute, part of South Florida’s Baptist Health, told FOX News Digital that “previous clinical trials have been small or underpowered and have not clearly shown that periodontal therapy reduces cardiovascular events.” (Dalavant was not involved in the study).
The scientists also pointed out that there is still not enough strong evidence to prove it. Treatment of periodontal disease Controlling inflammation is generally thought to be helpful, while lowering the risk of heart disease.
Estrin says good home care practices, such as brushing, flossing, using a waterpik, and using homeopathic mouth rinses, can help improve gum hygiene. Regular cleanings and checkups are also important for prevention.
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“Brushing, flossing, Regular dental checkups “It’s not just about a healthy smile, it’s an important part of protecting your heart,” he said.
The researchers acknowledged that further research was needed.
“Long-term, multicenter randomized trials are needed to demonstrate the mechanisms of causality and bidirectional relationships,” Estrin said. “But relevance alone is enough for clinicians to pay attention.”
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