A lot of scientific studies have been done to prove that gum disease is related to any cardiovascular disease like a heart disease. There are a lot of theories which explains the link between these two. One theory explains that oral bacteria can enter the blood stream and affect the heart. They attach to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries, also called heart blood vessels, and contribute to clot formation. Once there is a build up in the fatty proteins, the walls of the coronary arteries thicken causing the coronary artery disease. Once blood clot forms, it can obstruct the normal blood flow restricting the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients required for the heart to properly function. If this happens, it may lead to heart attacks. Another possibility is when there is an inflammation caused by periodontal disease. If there is a buildup of plaque, it can contribute to swelling of the arteries.
Due to these theories, the scientific community has done a lot of research just to prove the relationship between gum disease and heart disease. A study conducted in 2002 found that diseased gums released significantly higher levels of bacterial pro-inflammatory components such as endotoxins. This results to the release of harmful bacterial components in the bloodstream which can travel to other organs in the body, such as the heart, and cause harm.
Recent study has found that people with gum disease, the normal act of brushing or chewing allows the bacteria to enter the blood stream. The blood stream then carries the bacteria throughout the body causing infections and triggering the immune system. Once this happens, the liver then produces chemicals called C-reactive proteins (CRP). Any inflammation that appears in the body produces C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein has had a stronger relationship between heart attacks and strokes than high cholesterol levels. The predictability of heart attacks and strokes was twice as great as it related to C-reactive protein than was the association with cholesterol levels.
It was also found that patients with periodontitis have a significantly higher level of inflammatory products, like fibrinogen and white blood cells, which are well known risk factors for acute heart attacks. Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between gum disease and stroke. One study have looked at the causal relationship of oral infection as a risk factor for stroke. Those people diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular ischemia were found more likely to have an oral infection when compared to those in the control group.
Obviously, nobody wants to have gum disease. Preventing it can lower a person’s risk from acquiring heart disease. It is best to brush and floss regularly and use an antiseptic mouthwash. Visiting a dentist on a regular basis for teeth cleaning and checkups can also lessen the risk of having gum disease and heart problems.
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