Link Between Gum Disease And Heart Disease

Written By Kassandra Foreman / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Studies have shown that the link between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease is not only direct but that the severity of the periodontitis also correlates to the severity of the cardiovascular disease. This is most easily seen among those who have had a previous heart attack.

The Studies

“Our study suggests that dental screening programs including regular check-ups and education on proper dental hygiene may help to prevent first and subsequent heart events,” says Dr. Giulia Ferrannini of the Karolinska Institute.

This is based upon a study that shows those who have their first heart attack are significantly more likely to have periodontitis than people of the same age that have not had a heart attack and are healthy at a comparable age, sex, and live in the same area.

As a follow up to that study, 1,587 people who participated in the original study are now of the average age of 62, and have had a full dental exam. This study spanned 2010 to 2018 and gathered information related to any heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke as well as the dental information including periodontal disease.

“The risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event during follow-up was higher in participants with periodontitis, increasing in parallel with the severity,” Dr. Ferrannini added. “This was particularly apparent in patients who had already experienced a myocardial infarction.

“This may occur as the germs from the periodontitis may transfer into the blood stream and can affect the blood vessels in such a way that is harmful and may lead to cardiovascular concerns.”

A strong link

Both the original study and the follow-up have pointed towards a strong link between the presence of gum disease and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, along with the severity of each being linked as well.

The level of care that is available in Sweeden has lowered the occurrences of heart failure there, but areas with lesser availability of dental care will have the same correlation, resulting in increased cardiovascular events.

Where care is the least available and periodontitis becomes severe the risk of cardiovascular disease and occurrences also increase.

The value of dental care and oral hygiene

These studies show that the value of dental care and oral hygiene is important for more than just the teeth, and that overall health depends upon the health of the mouth as well.

These results have been presented to the ESC Congress, the European Society of Cardiology that has been created from health care providers from over 150 countries with the goal of advancing cardiovascular medicine. 

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Written By:

Kassandra Foreman has been writing freelance for five years now and enjoys learning about new things to write about. When not writing she teaches yoga and meditation with a focus on health and fitness.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.