Be Heart Smart
According to a new study, eliminating dental plaque may be a key step in thwarting coronary artery disease and periodontitis.
Because periodontitis is a persistent bacterial infection causing recurrent inflammation in periodontal tissues, it has been suggested that is may travel through the bloodstream and raise the risk of acute cardiac syndrome. Researchers recently examined 20 people with chronic periodontitis. In 13 of those patients, bacterial pathogens most frequently found in severe chronic periodontitis also were found in atherosclerotic plaque of coronary vessels. In 10 cases, those species of bacteria also were present in atherosclerotic plaque and in subgingival plaque.
We found that patients with periodontal pathogens detected in atherosclerotic plaque had 4 millimeters or greater of deep periodontal pockets and a significantly higher bleeding index,
commented study author Dr. Maciej Zaremba, in the February issue of the Journal of Periodontology. This supports the possibility that bacteria associated with periodontitis can permeate into coronary vessels.
Since periodontal and cardiovascular diseases have several common risk factors, more studies are needed to evaluate the strength of association between the two diseases,
said Preston D. Miller, Jr., DDS, American Academy of Periodontology president. It is very important for people to talk to their dentist or periodontist about their periodontal health and their at-home oral hygiene routine to prevent periodontal disease and maybe even coronary artery disease.
Terry W Forsberg DDS - Providing services in cosmetic and cerec dentistry to the areas of Aptos, Santa Cruz and San Jose, California.
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