Studies suggest a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, potentially due to bacteria in the mouth entering the bloodstream and causing infections or promoting the formation of blood clots. Preventing gum disease through regular dental care may also reduce the risk of heart disease.
Gum disease and heart disease appear to be related, thanks to several extensive studies in the early 2000s suggesting that people with periodontal disease were twice as likely to also have coronary heart disease, along with other heart-related health conditions. A couple of theories to explain the link between gum disease and heart disease have been hypothesized and tested with further scientific research. While these studies haven’t conclusively proven that gum disease causes heart disease, they have clearly shown that there is some correlation between the two.
Some researchers argue that the link between gum disease and heart disease has to do with bacteria in the mouth. People with severe gum disease often experience bleeding gums, and scrapes and cuts in the gums can provide a way for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. If the bacterium is not attacked by the immune system in time, it can reach the heart and cause an infection such as endocarditis or damage other organs.
Additionally, some oral bacteria appear to secrete sticky proteins that may allow them to stick to artery walls, rather than being swept away by the bloodstream. When bacteria build up, they contribute to the narrowing of the arteries which is linked to cardiovascular disease. The bacteria can also promote the formation of blood clots which could seriously damage the heart. Some scientists have argued that these bacteria should be trapped by the immune system, but when doctors sampled and cultured arterial plaque, they found colonies of oral bacteria happily multiplying in their petri dishes, suggesting that the immune system appears to be struggling. to stop oral bacteria in the bloodstream.
In studies that have attempted to explore the link between gum disease and heart disease, researchers have looked at large samples of individuals with and without heart disease and gum disease. What they found is that gum disease is linked to heart disease, and cultures of bacteria from the mouth can often be used as predictors of heart disease, just in the same way cholesterol levels are used.
Obviously, nobody wants gum disease. Because preventing gum disease can also reduce your risk of heart disease, it’s a good idea to floss and brush regularly, and visit a dentist regularly for teeth cleanings and checkups. In some cases, people may also need to take antibiotics before dental procedures to reduce the risk of endocarditis. this is something you should discuss with your dentist.
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