3/4/07
Gum Disease Leads To Heart Problems
Gum Disease Leads To Heart Problems – New Discovery Finds Improving Periodontal Health Keeps Artery Plaque From Building Up
(Best Syndication) Although previous research found a link between periodontitis and heard disease, researchers were not sure whether gum disease caused heart disease, or both were caused by the same inflammation. There were a lot of questions. Back in 2004 the American Academy of Periodontology reported that people with periodontal gum disease were twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease. But the new research is getting us closer to answering that question.
At that time they had two theories. The first theory was that oral bacteria affected the heart after entering the blood stream. These bacteria could possibly contribute to “clot formation”. The other theory was that “inflammation caused by periodontal disease increases plaque build-up.” This could cause the arteries to swell up. At that time they noted that people with periodontal disease were also at higher risk for stroke.
Researchers in London and the U.S. treated patients with periodontal disease and found that this treatment “directly improves the health of blood vessels.” These clinical trials proved that relieving the inflammation in the mouth improve function of the arteries.
Dr Francesco D'Aiuto, project leader and therapist, University College of London (UCL) Eastman Dental Institute, explained the research. "Middle-aged subjects with severe periodontitis, but no evidence of cardiovascular disease, were randomly allocated to dental treatments of two levels of intensity. After six months, those who received the more intensive periodontitis treatment, which resulted in a marked improvement in their gum disease, also demonstrated a significant restoration of blood vessel function.
"The intensive treatment involved removal of plaque through scaling and root planning techniques, as well as extraction of teeth that could not be saved. This initially resulted in some inflammation and dysfunction of the blood vessels and arteries. However, that was short-lived and six months later the treatment led to an improvement in both oral health and arterial function."
So treating gums may save lives. Dr Aroon Hingorani, UCL Division of Medicine, a co-author on the study said "Elevations in blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as smoking and diabetes, are recognized as the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and these can be effectively treated. Nevertheless, heart attacks and stroke remain a major cause of disability and death. Intriguing links have emerged between inflammation and heart disease and so it is important to better understand the nature of this connection, and whether it could lead to the development of new treatments. The current study points to disease of the gums as a potential source of this inflammation."
But not all of the questions have been answered. The researchers said that the mechanism by which periodontitis affects endothelial function in the body is still uncertain. The gum disease involves a bacterial infection that invades the tissue around the teeth. One possibility is that the bacteria disturb endothelial function directly, since some bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Alternatively, the periodontitis might trigger a low grade inflammatory response throughout the body that has a detrimental effect on the vascular wall.
Professor John Deanfield, senior author, UCL Institute of Child Health said "Previous studies have shown an association between periodontitis and blood vessel dysfunction, heart attack and stroke. However, a clinical trial was required to test whether these links could be causal. This is the first time that a direct link has been made between treatment for gum disease and improved circulatory function, which is relevant to some of the UK's biggest killers: heart attack and stroke."
The research is published in the latest edition of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
See what others are saying and join the discussion at our Forum
By Dan WilsonBest Syndication Writer
¶ 3:55 AM
Gum Disease Leads To Heart Problems – New Discovery Finds Improving Periodontal Health Keeps Artery Plaque From Building Up
(Best Syndication) Although previous research found a link between periodontitis and heard disease, researchers were not sure whether gum disease caused heart disease, or both were caused by the same inflammation. There were a lot of questions. Back in 2004 the American Academy of Periodontology reported that people with periodontal gum disease were twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease. But the new research is getting us closer to answering that question.
At that time they had two theories. The first theory was that oral bacteria affected the heart after entering the blood stream. These bacteria could possibly contribute to “clot formation”. The other theory was that “inflammation caused by periodontal disease increases plaque build-up.” This could cause the arteries to swell up. At that time they noted that people with periodontal disease were also at higher risk for stroke.
Researchers in London and the U.S. treated patients with periodontal disease and found that this treatment “directly improves the health of blood vessels.” These clinical trials proved that relieving the inflammation in the mouth improve function of the arteries.
Dr Francesco D'Aiuto, project leader and therapist, University College of London (UCL) Eastman Dental Institute, explained the research. "Middle-aged subjects with severe periodontitis, but no evidence of cardiovascular disease, were randomly allocated to dental treatments of two levels of intensity. After six months, those who received the more intensive periodontitis treatment, which resulted in a marked improvement in their gum disease, also demonstrated a significant restoration of blood vessel function.
"The intensive treatment involved removal of plaque through scaling and root planning techniques, as well as extraction of teeth that could not be saved. This initially resulted in some inflammation and dysfunction of the blood vessels and arteries. However, that was short-lived and six months later the treatment led to an improvement in both oral health and arterial function."
So treating gums may save lives. Dr Aroon Hingorani, UCL Division of Medicine, a co-author on the study said "Elevations in blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as smoking and diabetes, are recognized as the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and these can be effectively treated. Nevertheless, heart attacks and stroke remain a major cause of disability and death. Intriguing links have emerged between inflammation and heart disease and so it is important to better understand the nature of this connection, and whether it could lead to the development of new treatments. The current study points to disease of the gums as a potential source of this inflammation."
But not all of the questions have been answered. The researchers said that the mechanism by which periodontitis affects endothelial function in the body is still uncertain. The gum disease involves a bacterial infection that invades the tissue around the teeth. One possibility is that the bacteria disturb endothelial function directly, since some bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Alternatively, the periodontitis might trigger a low grade inflammatory response throughout the body that has a detrimental effect on the vascular wall.
Professor John Deanfield, senior author, UCL Institute of Child Health said "Previous studies have shown an association between periodontitis and blood vessel dysfunction, heart attack and stroke. However, a clinical trial was required to test whether these links could be causal. This is the first time that a direct link has been made between treatment for gum disease and improved circulatory function, which is relevant to some of the UK's biggest killers: heart attack and stroke."
The research is published in the latest edition of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
See what others are saying and join the discussion at our Forum
By Dan WilsonBest Syndication Writer
Labels: Disease, Gum, Heart Problems
¶ 3:55 AM
