Cosmetic Dentistry Blog at My Dentist USA

Brushing Your Teeth Can Save Your Life? Maybe.

(CNN) Doctors have known for years that gum disease and heart disease are linked, but they have yet to reach agreement on the exact reasons behind the connection.

Heart disease patients often have several risk factors such as high cholesterol or poor diet, making it impossible to single out bad dental health as a contributing factor.

Heart disease is the nation's top killer, claiming a staggering 450,000 lives in 2004, according to the American Heart Association.

Although it's unknown how many of those deaths are linked to gum disease, oral pathologist Dr. Dwight Weathers of Emory University suspects that the number would be high, "given that 85 percent of people over age 65 and probably half of people younger than that have some form of periodontal disease. Wow. That would be a big number."

A substance produced in the body called high-sensitivity C-reactive-protein (hs-CRP) is suspected to play a role in the link between gum disease and heart disease.

Acute gum disease increases the amount of hs-CRP in the bloodstream, which is a natural response to inflammation caused by injury or infection. The American Heart Association says hs-CRP may signal an increased risk for heart attacks.

Gum disease can sneak up on its victims without any warning signs, according to the American Dental Association, which recommends prevention by proper diet, brushing, flossing and dental visits.

To read this article by Thom Patterson in its entirety, please click here.

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Labels: american dental association, gum disease, heart disease, periodontal disease

 

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