The Bonus of Brushing - Proper tooth care can pay additional benefits
This entry was posted on 12/24/2007 4:26 PM and is filed under ARTICLES.
by Lori Harlan Brushing, flossing and routinely visiting the dentist can reduce the risk of cavities. But studies show they may lower the risk of heart disease as well. A recent study of 150 patients with periodontal disease - various diseases that affect the gum and bone around teeth - found those with higher levels of bacteria had already suffered heart attacks, according to results published by the American Academy of Periodontology.
The connection between gum disease and heart disease has been explored by the medical and dental industries for more than a decade, and studies back up the theory of increased risk, according to the AAP website. A second study discovered periodontal bacteria in plaque also appeared in patients' arteries in and around the heart.
Gum disease develops in stages, says Dr. Michael Morley of Springfield, Ill.
"Plaque is a foreign substance, an accumulation of bacteria that adheres to the teeth. The body views that foreign object as a threat and sends white blood cells to attack it," Morley says.
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That bone loss creates "pockets" around the tooth, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. The pockets are hard to clean, allowing more bacteria to grow.
"It creates a vicious cycle: pockets form, bacteria accumulate, the pockets become harder to clean and get even deeper, more bacteria accumulate," Morley says. The diseased pockets can leak bacteria into the bloodstream, posing a threat to other organs, including the heart. The pockets also cause the gums to bleed easily, another portal for the spread of bacteria.
"Bleeding gums create an avenue for bacteria to get into the bloodstream. Those bacteria then lodge in and around the heart, its arteries, vessels and valves," Morley says...
