A thorough cleaning by your dentist can have benefits beyond your oral health.
A two-year study of periodontitis patients, or severe periodontal disease, Researchers at University College London (UCL) found that people who received intensive treatment (thorough cleaning of the entire mouth with regular follow-up) had slower thickening and clogging of the main arteries in the neck and better blood vessel function than those who only received regular cleaning.
The randomized controlled trial followed 135 adults at UCL Eastman Dental Institute who had periodontitis caused by poor oral hygiene, genetics, smoking and uncontrolled diabetes, according to research published this month in the European Heart Journal.
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At 12 and 24 months, participants who received intensive deep cleanings had less inflammation in their gums, fewer bacteria entering their bloodstream, and healthier arteries than those who received standard scale-and-polish care, which only removes plaque and tartar buildup.
Dr. Marco Orlandi, a co-author of the study, said in a statement that participants who received intensive periodontal treatment had a 0.02 millimeter reduction in carotid artery thickening after two years.
“This is an important result because even a 0.01 millimeter reduction equates to a 10% reduction. cardiovascular disease risk — suggests that participants reduce their risk by about 10% each year,” Orlandi said.
Doctors track the thickness of your carotid artery walls as an early warning sign of clogged arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Although the study did not count actual cardiac events, changes in arteries and decreased inflammation in the gums suggest that improving oral health may help fight cardiovascular disease.
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All participants were otherwise healthy and did not take regular medications, which helped researchers identify the effects of periodontal treatment.
“This is one of the most solid evidence Professor John Deanfield, lead author of the study and director of cardiovascular prevention at UCL, said in a statement: “Tackling periodontitis could be a powerful tool to prevent serious heart and brain events such as heart attacks and strokes.”
Professor Francesco Daiuto, one of the study’s co-authors, added that medical and dental professionals need to work more closely together in recognizing and addressing the cardiovascular effects of periodontal disease.
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Periodontitis affects approximately 40% of adults worldwide and, if untreated, can cause bleeding, swollen and tender gums, and tooth loss.
“The gums are part of the vascular system,” says Dr. Catries Austin. new york city the cosmetic dentist and host of the podcast “Let’s Talk Smiles” told Fox News Digital. “When it’s inflamed and bleeding, your arteries feel it.”
Dr. Austin, who was not involved in the study, said the findings are further evidence that doctors and cardiologists should start paying more attention to their patients’ gum health.
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“Ask simple questions like, ‘Do my gums sometimes bleed when I brush my teeth?’ It can help identify early signs of systemic inflammation long before more serious health problems develop,” she said.
She recommends that patients brush their teeth twice a day, floss daily, have regular professional cleanings, stop smoking, and quit smoking. Managing conditions such as diabetes. “These steps not only protect your smile, but they also reduce inflammation, which can lead to cardiovascular disease,” Austin said.
The research, supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Center and carried out in collaboration with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, adds to a growing body of research linking gum health and overall wellbeing.
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A large-scale analysis of more than 500,000 people was conducted earlier this year. UK Biobank They found that people with signs of periodontal disease, such as bleeding or sore gums, were more likely to have multiple chronic conditions, from diabetes to heart disease to depression.
Although much of the previous evidence was correlative and showed that people with periodontal disease tended to have higher cardiovascular risk, it was not proven that treating periodontal disease would reduce heart attacks or strokes.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.
