A growing body of evidence suggests that oral infections, particularly periodontal disease, may play a role in chronic medical problems.
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October 18, 2001
By Alice Chang, M.D.
Harvard Medical School
How does this article relate to me?
Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of neglecting our teeth. And while some people might consider this a cosmetic concern, this article shows us the evidence that our dental health could be linked to our heart disease and stroke risk, the control of diabetes, and premature birth in pregnant women. We do not know, however, what exactly is responsible for the association. It is possible that a tie exists between stimulating the immune system with mouth infections and stimulating inflammation that can cause a heart attack or stroke.
These results are interesting, but they are by no means the final word. These studies only observe a coincidence that people with periodontal disease are more likely to have heart disease and strokes. It does not prove cause and effect. It may be that people who do not take care of their teeth do not live a healthy life in general.
What changes do I need to make?
If you have not seen your dentist in over a year, schedule an appointment for a check up. Some people see a dental hygienist every six months, especially when they know their home care is not the best.
Taking care of your teeth and gums at home means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day or a few times a week. Any pains that you are having in your mouth can signal infection or periodontal disease and should be addressed right away.
If you have a heart murmur or heart-valve problem, you should always let your dentist know before you have any dental work. Usually, an antibiotic is prescribed before your appointment to reduce the risk of heart-valve infections There is no scientific evidence that people with heart conditions have a higher risk of heart attack or death after a dental procedure. Don't let one person's experience quoted in this article scare you or prevent you from going to the dentist. The take-home message from this article should be to take care of your dental health.
What can I expect in the future?
It will be very interesting to see the results of future studies to see if treating the periodontal disease reduces the risk of having a heart attack or other medical problems.
Related Areas:
Periodontal Disease.
