Do Unhealthy Gums Affect Your Heart, Too?
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Gum disease can be a serious threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth.
If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you are not alone. An estimated 80% of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are so affected by gum disease that they are lost.
Gum disease can be a serious threat to your oral health. Research is also pointing to possible health effects of periodontal diseases that go well beyond your mouth. Whether your periodontal disease is stopped, slowed, or gets worse depends a great deal on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day.
Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless "plaque" on teeth. Brushing and flossing do help to get rid of the plaque; however, plaque that is not removed can harden and form bacteria-harboring tartar that brushing simply does not get rid of. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.
The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called gingivitis. With gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.
Risk Factors Associated with Gum Disease
Smoking. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Additionally, smoking can lower the chances of success of some treatments.
Hormonal changes in girls/women. These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal disease.
Stress. Research shows that stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight infection, including periodontal disease.
Medications. Some drugs, such as antidepressants and some heart medicines, can affect oral health because they lessen the flow of saliva. (Saliva has a protective effect on teeth and gums.)
Illnesses. Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums.
Genetic susceptibility. Some people are more prone to severe periodontal disease than others.
Periodontal Disease’s Connection to Heart Disease
Approximately six years ago, a study in the Journal of Periodontology confirmed that people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease. Researchers found diseased gums released significantly higher levels of bacterial pro-inflammatory components, such as endotoxins, into the bloodstream in patients with severe periodontal disease compared to healthy patients. As a result, these harmful bacterial components in the blood could travel to other organs in the body, such as the heart, and cause harm.
The study is in line with recent findings by the University of Buffalo where researchers suggest periodontal disease may cause oral bacterial components to enter the bloodstream and trigger the liver to make C-reactive proteins, which are a predictor for increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Several theories currently exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty proteins. Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This may lead to heart attacks.
Periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. When this happens, gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets that fill with plaque and even more infection. As the disease progresses, these pockets deepen even further, more gum tissue and bone are destroyed and the teeth eventually become loose.
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