You may not think of having a healthy mouth as having anything to do with the health of your arteries, but an increasing body of evidence supports this potential linkage. In fact, there is increasing evidence that oral health problems like chronic gum disease (including gingivitis and periodontal disease) can be indicators of serious health problems like stroke and cardiovascular disease, and can even contribute to them worsening.
How can this happen?
Basically, conditions like gingivitis and periodontal disease often show up as symptoms like red, bleeding gums. The gums are inflamed, and when inflammation occurs in the mouth, bacteria are produced and it goes from the mouth into your body. The belief is that the bacteria can attach to your arteries where plaque build-up, or atherosclerosis, may be occurring already. The plaque build-up isn't something you can see or feel, but it happens over time, as you age.
Having chronic conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes can contribute significantly to this progression. A recently published study FASEB Journal in December 2008 validated some of the earlier evidence. "It has long been suspected that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process, and that periodontal diseases plays a role in atherosclerosis," said Merio Clerici, MD, a senior researcher on the study. "Our study suggests that this is the case, and indicates that something as simple as taking good care of your teeth and gums can greatly reduce your risk of developing serious diseases."
So what can you do?
1. Take good care of your teeth and gums, including regular brushing and daily flossing. This daily step can reduce the level of inflammation and the risk that bacteria can get into your arteries. Obviously, it’s important to get regular dental check-ups. They can see early on if you might be at risk for one of these conditions. Dentists have always practiced preventive care for your teeth and gums, but increasingly, they can help identify people who are at risk just by looking at their mouth.
2. You can find out if inflammation is already occurring in your body. There is a certain inflammatory "marker," called C-reactive protein that can help hint as to whether you are already at risk. Simple finger-stick blood tests from Life Line Screening can help you identify whether your CRP level is elevated.
Your mouth is the window into the health of the body. For more information, visit the American dental Association (ADA) website at www.ada.org.
Learn more about C-reactive protein.
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