PUBLISHED TCI WEEKLY NEWS
12th July 2014
The link between the health of your gums and your overall general health is a topic that has been discussed by dental professionals and doctors for a while now. Indeed, I have previously written in this column about the link between gum and heart health. Now a new study, recently published in Australia, not only supports the premise that good, basic gum hygiene treatment reduces furring of the arteries, which in turn decreases the risk of heart disease but concludes that even as little as one non-surgical gum treatment can make a difference.
Gum or Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease affecting the soft and hard structures that support the teeth. In its early stage, the gums become swollen and red due to inflammation, and will often bleed easily. These are all the body’s natural responses to the presence of harmful bacteria. In the more serious form of periodontal disease (periodontitis), the gums pull away from the tooth and supporting gum tissues are destroyed. Bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or eventually fall out. The findings in this study support the theory that treatment for gum disease benefits not only the health of the gum, but also delivers systemic benefits.
“The study shows that non-surgical periodontal therapy significantly reduced the progression of thickening of the carotid artery over a one-year period,” says study co-author, University of Sydney vascular disease expert Dr Michael Skilton. Scientists believe that it is the inflammation in the body caused by the gum disease that is the link between gum disease and systemic disease.
Dr Michael goes on to say that the reduction in thickening of the carotid artery (in the neck) was significant comparable to a 30% fall in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol – commonly referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol – which is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease.”
One of the conclusions that Dr Skilton reached with respect to the population in the study, I think could be very relevant to certain sectors of the community here in TCI. Namely that the treatment of periodontal disease could become one of the methods used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people that are considered ‘high risk’- people suffering with hypertension, obesity and certain types of diabetes.
From a dental perspective everyone can benefit from regular professional dental cleanings- in general we say every 6 months- but increasingly the data from studies like this are supporting the fact that they can deliver genuine and substantial general health benefits.
