Owensboro Dentist | KY |

It has become common knowledge that smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and high cholesterol are all recognized as high risk factors for heart disease. However, in recent years, it has become rather clear that low grade infections anywhere in the body can be a factor in your cardiac health. Gum disease being so prevalent, immediately comes to mind since this is basically a condition involving a low grade chronic inflammation caused by bacteria. More and more studies are associating poor dental health to heart disease. Bleeding gums allows bacteria to trigger a complex inflammatory response from the immune system which fuels the development of heart disease. This appears to influence the blood’s clotting mechanism, further placing the cardiovascular system at risk. This may partly explain why so many heart attack victims have normal cholesterol levels. Some researchers believe many other inflammatory diseases (such as arthritis) may similarly affect your heart. In other words, any low grade inflammation can play a role. New blood tests have surfaced which are used as markers of inflammation. The C-reactive protein test is gaining popularity and such a test could become routine just like a blood cholesterol test is today.

I have often observed patients claiming to feel better several weeks after the removal of severely infected teeth. It is likely the result of having relieved their immune system of the long term battle that was taking place for years, since gum disease is usually a slow chronic inflammation. In fact, a person with widespread full blown gum disease, (very common) is living with a significant infection. As an analogy, think what a person with a six inch infected lesion on their skin would likely do. Common sense would drive this person to quickly seek medical advise. Patients with advanced gum disease are living with a similar condition and often are not even aware of it. That’s why it is so important to see your dentist regularly.

With this new knowledge linking inflammation to heart disease, perhaps more people will seek treatment before it is too late. Your dentist and hygienist are trained to detect intra-oral inflammation which could be quietly affecting your heart disease. Avoid any risk and have your mouth examined and your teeth cleaned twice a year. Not only will you give your heart a break and live longer, you will end up with a healthy clean smile.