The Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
For a significant amount of time, the majority of us were under the impression that coronary heart disease was primarily a “men’s health” concern. This misconception persisted for a significant amount of time. And despite the fact that this is not at all the case, this misconception is understandable given the fact that throughout the majority of the 20th century, more men than women passed away from heart disease.
However, since the middle of the 1980s, there has been a steady increase in the number of deaths among women caused by heart disease. Since the year 2017, cardiovascular disease has continued to be the leading cause of death among both men and women. This is the case regardless of gender. In addition, research that was carried out by the American Heart Association indicates that heart disease is the cause of death for one out of every three women in the United States each and every year.
Maintaining a healthy diet and being physically active on a regular basis are two of the most important steps you can take to ensure your heart stays in good health. On the other hand, were you aware that maintaining regular dental appointments is beneficial to the health of your heart? We have joined forces with the American Heart Association in order to raise awareness about the correlation between having healthy teeth and gums and having a healthy heart and circulatory system as a whole as part of their celebration of Go Red for Women day.
What aspects of gum disease are similar to heart disease, and what aspects distinguish them from one another?
Our bodies are complex systems. It is not an exception to the rule that problems in one area of the body can frequently cause problems in other areas of the body, and the mouth is not an exception to this rule. Poor oral health has been linked to a wide variety of health problems, including diabetes and dementia, according to recent research. Researchers have recently come to the conclusion that periodontal disease may have a causal relationship with a variety of heart conditions. According to the findings of various pieces of research, having poor oral health may be associated with a very wide variety of conditions.
According to a warning that was issued by the American Academy of Periodontology more than 20 years ago, which is when the connection between the two was first discovered, inflammation and infection of the gums can lead to conditions such as heart attack and stroke. The warning was issued because it was discovered that inflammation and infection of the gums can lead to these conditions. Since that time, a significant number of investigations have been carried out to provide evidence for the veracity of the connection between the two.
According to the findings of a review that combined the findings of several different studies, having a history of periodontitis, which is another name for severe gum disease, can increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease by as much as twenty percent. “the risk for myocardial infarction was significantly increased among subjects with periodontitis with an odds ratio of 1:49,” found the findings of a different study that was published in the year 2016. (That is an absolutely ridiculously high percentage.)
Although researchers in all of the studies have noted that periodontitis is not an absolute cause of heart disease (due to the fact that there are many other factors at play, such as a poor diet and the use of tobacco), it is difficult to ignore the correlation between the two conditions.
To what extent does periodontal disease contribute to the development of heart disease?
Plaque is the primary causative factor in gum disease, which appears clinically as an infection of the gums and is caused by the persistent formation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a substance that forms around the teeth and under the gums over the course of the day. Plaque is made up of bacteria and a substance that is sticky, and it is composed of both of these components.
By maintaining proper oral hygiene practices on a consistent basis, such as brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist on a regular basis, plaque can be removed from teeth and prevented from hardening into tartar. This can be accomplished. Plaque and tartar are both ideal environments for the growth of the pathogenic bacteria that are responsible for gum disease. Both of these environments serve as breeding grounds for the bacteria.
When gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, advances into periodontitis, it pulls the gums away from the teeth and can lead to visibly receding gums and even permanent tooth loss. Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of gum disease. The first sign of gum disease is gingivitis, which is a mild form. The most advanced form of gum disease is known as periodontitis. As a consequence of this, the mouth becomes more receptive to the entry of additional bacteria, which then travels to other parts of the body and causes inflammation as well as damage to the blood vessels in those areas.
The bacteria that live in your mouth when you have gum disease can cross over into your bloodstream, enter your heart, and directly infect the vulnerable heart valves, according to Dr. Marietta Ambrose, an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Marietta Ambrose has been quoted as having said these words. “The microbes that are found in the mouths of people who suffer from gum disease.”
According to Penn Medicine, this has been shown to be the case in numerous studies. “Oral bacteria have been found by researchers in the fatty deposits of people who have atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries (of the heart). Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries (of the heart). These deposits, if left untreated, can cause the arteries to become narrower or become dislodged and clogged, both of which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.”
How to protect yourself from developing heart disease in addition to gum disease
These facts might be cause for concern, particularly when viewed in light of the fact that it is estimated that roughly half of all adults in the United States suffer from some form of gum disease. On the other hand, just like with so many other aspects of our health, we can all take preventative measures to lower the risk that we will develop the condition.
It goes without saying that brushing your teeth twice a day helps reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar, both of which attract bacteria that is harmful to your teeth and gums. Brushing your teeth twice a day also helps remove food particles stuck in between your teeth, which can cause cavities. Brush your teeth carefully and in a circular motion using a toothbrush with medium or soft bristles. This type of bristle is less likely to cause damage to the gums than harder bristles. It is important to remember to brush not only your teeth but also the inside of your cheeks and your tongue when you brush your teeth.
You should floss the area that is located between your teeth and gums at least once per day, if not more frequently. (If you want more information, you can read a blog post that we wrote about the differences between traditional floss and a water flosser.) “Regular floss” is the term used to refer to the string that is used to clean between teeth.
•It is recommended that you visit your dentist at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. These visits should be spaced out evenly throughout the year. In order to keep your health in good standing, it is essential to deal with issues as soon as they arise. For this reason, be sure to mention any problems that you have observed, such as gums that are swollen or bleeding or teeth that are unusually sensitive. Your dentist will be able to determine the cause of the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment. They are able to instruct you on the correct way to brush your teeth and use floss, and they may even suggest specialized products, such as a mouthwash that contains folic acid. In addition, they are able to answer any questions that you may have regarding your oral health.
It is essential to keep in mind, however, that not everyone will have a direct connection between gum disease and heart disease. Not everyone will have a direct connection between gum disease and heart disease. This is something that has been discussed in the past by both of us. There are many people who have one without developing the other, and shared risk factors can make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of either condition. In other words, there are many people who only have one of these conditions.
In spite of this, there are a few steps you can take to lower your chances of developing gum disease as well as heart disease, and they are as follows:
- Immediately give up smoking as well as any and all other forms of using tobacco. (Or, even better, don’t even get started in the first place!)
- Make sure that the majority of your daily intake consists of vegetables, fruits with a low sugar content, and lean proteins. Not only does eating a healthy diet reduce the amount of sugars, starches, and acids that can damage teeth, but it also reduces the risk of developing high cholesterol, which can lead to heart conditions.
- Maintain your active lifestyle! The promotion and upkeep of our overall health can be greatly aided by engaging in regular physical activity, which is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.
- Throughout the course of the day, keep an eye out for opportunities to reduce the amount of stress you’re feeling. Both prolonged exposure to high levels of stress and hypertension have been shown to have deleterious effects on virtually every part of the body, including the heart and the mouth.
SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Here are 10 FAQs for the periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease blog:
Q1: Can gum disease really cause heart disease? A: Research shows that periodontitis increases the risk of developing heart disease by up to 20%. The bacteria responsible for gum disease can enter the bloodstream, travel to the heart, and infect vulnerable heart valves. While gum disease isn’t the sole cause of heart disease, the correlation is strong enough that the American Academy of Periodontology has issued formal warnings about the connection. Maintaining your oral health with regular preventive care visits is one of the simplest ways to reduce your cardiovascular risk.
Q2: How does the bacteria from gum disease get into my bloodstream? A: When gum disease progresses from gingivitis to periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth and create deep pockets. These pockets allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream directly through the inflamed gum tissue. Every time you chew, brush, or even swallow, bacteria from infected pockets can enter your circulation and travel to your heart, arteries, and other organs. This is why treating gum disease early — before pockets deepen — is critical.
Q3: What are the warning signs of gum disease I shouldn’t ignore? A: Watch for gums that bleed when you brush or floss, red or swollen gum tissue, persistent bad breath that doesn’t improve with brushing, gums that appear to be receding or pulling away from your teeth, teeth that feel loose or are shifting position, and pain when chewing. The tricky part is that early gum disease often causes no pain at all, which is why regular dental checkups with AI-assisted X-ray analysis are essential for catching it before symptoms appear.
Q4: How often should I visit the dentist to protect my heart health? A: At minimum, every six months for a routine cleaning and examination. If you already have gum disease, Dr. Cohan may recommend periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months to keep bacteria levels under control and prevent the condition from worsening. These more frequent visits are especially important for patients who also have cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
Q5: I have heart disease. Is dental treatment safe for me? A: Yes. Modern dental care, including sedation dentistry options at Summerlin Dental Solutions, is safe for patients with heart conditions. In fact, avoiding dental treatment when you have heart disease is far more dangerous than receiving it, because untreated gum infections continue feeding bacteria into your bloodstream. Dr. Cohan reviews your complete medical history, coordinates with your cardiologist when appropriate, and tailors your treatment plan to your specific cardiovascular situation.
Q6: Can treating gum disease reduce my risk of heart attack or stroke? A: Studies suggest yes. Treating periodontal disease reduces the systemic inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular events. A deep cleaning removes the bacterial colonies and calculus that fuel the infection, allowing gum tissue to heal and reducing the volume of bacteria entering your bloodstream. While treating gum disease alone won’t eliminate heart disease risk, it removes one significant contributing factor — and it’s one of the easiest risk factors to address.
Q7: What’s the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis? A: Gingivitis is early-stage gum inflammation — red, swollen gums that may bleed during brushing. It is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Periodontitis is advanced gum disease where the infection has destroyed bone and connective tissue supporting your teeth. Bone loss from periodontitis is permanent and irreversible. The progression from gingivitis to periodontitis is where the cardiovascular risk escalates significantly, because deeper pockets harbor more bacteria with direct access to your bloodstream.
Q8: Does smoking make the connection between gum disease and heart disease worse? A: Significantly. Smoking is an independent risk factor for both gum disease and heart disease, and it compounds the danger of each. Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop periodontitis, and smoking reduces blood flow to the gums, making infections harder to detect and slower to heal. If you smoke and have gum disease, your cardiovascular risk is substantially higher than either condition alone. Quitting tobacco is the single most impactful thing you can do for both your oral and heart health.
Q9: How does Summerlin Dental Solutions detect gum disease early? A: Dr. Cohan uses AI-assisted digital X-rays that measure bone levels with sub-millimeter precision and flag early bone loss that may not be visible on standard examination. Combined with comprehensive periodontal charting — measuring pocket depths at six points around every tooth — and 3D CBCT imaging when needed, the diagnostic process at Summerlin Dental Solutions catches gum disease at its earliest stages, before it progresses to the point where it threatens your cardiovascular health.
Q10: How do I get started if I haven’t been to the dentist in years? A: Call (702) 341-9160 and let us know it’s been a while — there’s no judgment, only support. You can also start with a free virtual consultation from home at dentalsolutionslv.com/virtual-consultation. Dr. Cohan will evaluate your gum health with AI-assisted imaging, create a treatment plan tailored to your needs, and sedation dentistry is available for every appointment if anxiety has been keeping you away. Many patients who come to us after years of avoidance say their only regret is not coming sooner. Your heart — and your smile — will thank you.
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GET TO KNOW YOUR BEST DENTIST IN SUMMERLIN
Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning. Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens. She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.
Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
