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Got Gum Trouble? Your Heart Might Be Next

Posted on: Tuesday, 21 February 2006, 09:00 CST

By E.J. MUNDELL

BY E.J. MUNDELL HealthDay News Theres mounting evidence that brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups may be at the heart of good cardiovascular health. People who have chronic infections and gum disease is one of the major chronic infections are at increased risk later in life for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and coronary heart disease, says American Heart Association spokesman Dr. Richard Stein, who is also director of preventive cardiology at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Stein says he regularly counsels patients worried about their risk for heart attack or stroke to incorporate good periodontal care in their preventive strategies, just as they would include exercise, healthy diets and appropriate medications

. The reason: Chronic periodontal disease which is caused by a number of oral bacteria appears to set off an inflammatory process that exacerbates and contributes to the buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque on artery walls. The presence of a chronic infection in the mouth is very similar to a chronic infection anywhere else in the body in that it puts stress on our bodys response system, says Dr. Ronald Inge, associate executive director of the division of dental practice at the American Dental Association in Chicago. The way the body responds (to that stress) is by sending different elements through the bloodstream, and these elements create the plaque. In fact, one study published earlier this year in the journal Circulation found patients with high levels of gum disease bacteria also were at high risk for atherosclerosis. This demonstrates that the (health of) the mouth isnt isolated from the rest of the body, Inge says. Some tips, according to Inge: tGet checked. A thorough oral exam will allow a dentist to detect and diagnosis gum disease, gauge its severity and order appropriate treatment. Treatments include bacterial removal via scaling and root-planing, and the use of antibiotics. tBrush and floss regularly. The more frequently food is kept away from teeth, the better, because regular cleaning robs oral bacteria of the nutrients they crave. tDont snack. Every snack delivers a fresh meal to germs that are hard at work destroying teeth and gums. If snacking is unavoidable, Inge recommends less-sticky foods that wont adhere to tooth structure. Stein notes that theres one group of adults that may not have to worry about periodontal troubles: those with dentures.

Source: Intelligencer Journal

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