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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
James Willis, DDS
The Connection Between Oral and Cardiovascular Health
Burke Dental Center

The Connection Between Oral and Cardiovascular Health

When people think about keeping their heart healthy, they usually think about working out at a gym and eating salad. And rightfully so; there is great benefit in maintaining a medically-supervised health program. But few people make the connection between cardiovascular health and oral health.

For instance, did you know that people with periodontal disease (gum disease) are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (heart disease)?

Or that the presence of common problems in the mouth, including gingivitis (inflamed gums), cavities, and missing teeth, were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels?

The association of oral health and heart health has been illustrated in several studies. I should clearly point out that a cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been proven. However, research has indicated there is an increased risk of heart disease when periodontal disease is present.

Periodontal disease can also exacerbate existing heart conditions. Patients with certain heart conditions may require antibiotics prior to dental procedures. Please consult your dentist and cardiologist to determine if your heart condition requires use of antibiotics prior to dental procedures.

Many patients with heart problems may also be at risk for being diabetic. Those with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease, which in turn can increase blood sugar and diabetic complications.

Some scientists believe the increased risk is related to the fact that people with diabetes are more susceptible to contracting infections and have a longer healing time from those infections.

Some healthcare providers consider periodontal disease to be a complication of diabetes, but others suggest that the relationship is a two-way street, meaning periodontal disease may cause some diabetics to have increased difficulty controlling their blood sugar.

It is clear that there is an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, but it should be again stated that at this time it is unclear if the association is causal or coincidental.

Nonetheless, it is important to understand that periodontal disease is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease. So, under your doctor's supervision, keep going to the gym and keep eating salad. But combine that effort with brushing, flossing, and regular visits to your dentist.

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