The Relationship Between Dental Health and Heart Health

While there is much to be discovered about the surprising relationship between heart health and dental hygiene, the facts that are forthcoming are fascinating!

Self Magazine: “Gum Disease Is No Joke”

The ADA and SELF MAGAZINE came out with an article titled “Gum Disease Is No Joke!”

Stating that information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows “nearly half of adults 30 and over have some form of periodontal (gum) disease,” SELF Magazine (11/21, Barnes) discusses the importance of keeping gums healthy. The article states that “gum disease is no joke,” and “when it gets severe enough, it can even lead to tooth loss.” Some signs that could indicate a problem include gums that bleed easily, are red and swollen, or are pulling away from teeth. The article also mentions that while research suggests an association between gum disease and heart disease, the relationship between the two is “not fully understood.” The ADA states,

The current position of the American Heart Association and the American Dental Association is that while periodontal disease and heart health have an association, additional research is needed to establish whether one causes the other.

MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on gum disease and heart disease and oral health.

Hypertension and Dental Health

The Daily Express (UK) (12/14, Atherton) had an interesting read which indicated that a bad taste in your mouth could be related to hypertension. We all know that the American Heart Association has recently changed the blood pressure guidelines to a more strict level-but what if you are not going into your doctor on a regular basis? Well, if you notice a particularly bad taste in your mouth, or your gums bleed commonly, or if you have loose teeth, let your dentist know and they can speak with you regarding the potential link to hypertension. As we learn more, we will continue to uncover links between our oral health and our heart health.

The study goes on to discuss that in over 30,000 women, there was a link to high blood pressure and gum disease.

Top 3 signs of gum disease:

1. Red gums
2. Swollen gums
3. Bleeding while brushing or flossing

Thank you everyone and call Main Street Dental if you have any questions regarding your oral health and how it relates to your body!

Menopause, Heart Disease, and Teeth

36,000 women were followed in a recent study involving tooth loss after menopause. The study found these women have a significantly higher chance of developing symptoms of hypertension. This may be due to individuals having several health issues including periodontal disease, caries, smokers, obesity, hormonal changes, etc. Losing a tooth does not mean your blood pressure will increase necessarily, but the link is intriguing.

Medical Xpress (12/4) hosts an Oxford University Press release stating a new study finds that “postmenopausal women who have experienced tooth loss are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure.” After studying “36,692 postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative-Observational Study, in the US,” researchers found that the women with tooth loss had about a “20% higher risk of developing hypertension during follow-up compared to other women,” and “the association was stronger among younger women and those with lower BMI.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Hypertension.

The Oral Health Topics on ADA.org and MouthHealthy.org provide information on aging and dental health for dental professionals and patients.

Learn more by talking to your Gresham general and family dentist at Main Street Dental. Contact us now!