Gum Disease and Heart Disease: The Unknown Connection

Some reasons for maintaining healthy gums are obvious. After all, gum disease can be unsightly, can cause pain and discomfort, and can impact the health and appearance of the teeth. It can make gums extra sensitive and make it more difficult to chew, and it can cause gums to easily bleed.

However, there are some health risks associated with gum disease that many people might not know about. For example, gum disease has been linked to heart disease. Just hearing that for the first time should make people perk up and pay attention because the implications are somewhat alarming.

Gum disease connected to heart disease?

How is that even possible? It’s a fair question, and the truth is studies are still being done in order to fully understand it. However, there is strong evidence already available to suggest a connection.

Statistics provided by the American Academy of Periodontology and WebMD reveal that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from heart disease at some point in their lives. In fact, the presence of gum disease has such a direct statistical connection to the risk of heart disease that it can be used in place of measuring cholesterol levels.

The nature of the connection between these two diseases is not one people might consider, but here is how it seems to work. Heart disease is caused by a process called atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries that occurs when fatty plaque builds up on the sides of the arteries. This causes the arteries to narrow, which restricts blood flow. Once flow is blocked completely, it can produce either a heart attack or a stroke.

As it turns out, bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream from the gums, and these same bacteria have been discovered clustered inside arterial plaque. This has led scientists to speculate that the bacterium actually contributes to the build-up of plaque. It’s also possible that the body, in trying to fight the bacteria, causes inflammation, which contributes to the blockage.

There are many more studies to be done in order to fully understand the mechanics behind this connection, but the statistics are clear. People with better oral hygiene have a reduced risk of heart disease.

Taking care of gums might do much more than contribute to strong teeth. It might actually help people live longer by protecting heart health. Along with a healthy diet and avoiding smoking, people will have an increased opportunity to live a longer healthy life.

Contact Haddon Family Dentistry for more information on the prevention of gum disease or to schedule an appointment.