No Direct Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Attacks
After a literature review of over 500 studies and journal articles, a committee appointed by the American Heart Association has concluded that there is no direct link between gum disease and heart attacks.
Though several studies have linked gum problems with strokes and heart attacks, The AHA committee states that an extensive review of the studies do not support this assertion.
Unproven Facts Linked To Gum Disease
AHA physicians and infectious disease researchers find that dental treatment will not prevent heart attacks or strokes.
A professor of oral medicine says that health care professionals are sending out the wrong message to their patients.
For a number of years, dental care professionals have informed their patients that strokes and heart attacks are linked to gum disease.
These distorted facts create an alarm for patients and shift prevention measures away for these particular diseases.
Common Risk Factors
Gum disease and heart disease share common risks, including tobacco smoking, diabetes and age. These common factors provide an explanation of why gum disease and heart disease may manifest in many Americans.
However, studies have failed to show a direct correlation between heart attacks and gum disease.
Individuals who ignore the risk factors of smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes may also choose to ignore their oral hygiene and care, contributing to gum disease.
In fact, one study asserted that invasive dental treatments for gum disease may increase risk factors of stroke and heart attack.
Future Studies of Gum Disease
The aforementioned professor also indicated that a long-term study would need to be conducted to determine whether dental disease is at all correlated with stroke and heart disease.
He posits that it is important for dental patients to consider what is known by the current research at this time.
Additional studies of gum disease and its relationship to strokes and heart attacks may be done in the future. However, at this point there has been no proven link.
Dental Health
The appointed AHA committee that performed the extensive literature review stated that is important to continue oral hygiene care to maintain overall dental health and found that the treatment of gum disease greatly reduces other inflammation found within the body.
The AHA officially states that gum disease is not related to the risk factors of strokes and heart attacks. Gum disease treatment does not show a reduction in the risks involved with cardiovascular disease.
Gum Disease Theory
Researchers developed a theory many years ago when they noticed people with gum disease had more strokes and heart attacks than people who did not exhibit signs of gum disease.
The researchers concluded that bacterial infections in gum tissue flowed into the blood stream and quickly traveled to fatty deposits in the blood vessels.
This movement caused blood clots to form. This process was believed to cause strokes and heart attacks.
Reviewers did agree, by reviewing the data, that individuals with heart disease can have symptoms of periodontal diseases.
Similar Risk Factors
Many people that have been diagnosed with both conditions may have similar risk factors. They may also engage in common behavior patterns that are not conducive to their health.
This is why researchers believed there may be a connection between gum disease and cardiovascular problems. Both conditions are directly linked to tobacco smoking, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.
American Dental Association
The American Dental Association is in agreement with the conclusion of the AHA. The American Dental Association stated that, just because the two conditions have similarities, does not indicate a cause and effect relationship.
The AHA committee has concluded that gum disease is still a main contributor in damaging blood vessels. However, gum disease does not cause heart attacks or strokes.
Periodontal Disease Risk Factors
For over twenty years, researchers reported a link between atherosclerotic heart disease and gum disease. There are many websites and books that conclude that periodontal disease is a leading risk factor for causing strokes and heart attacks.
This information was published based on observational studies and data that suggested a link. The treatment of gum disease has not been proven to prevent strokes or heart attacks.
The Contributing Factors Of Gum Disease
Having healthy teeth and gums is still a priority for overall good health and well being. Gum disease is a known contributing factor for pneumonia in senior citizens.
Bacteria that is found in the mouth can aspirate into the lungs and cause pneumonia, especially in senior citizens. Another health risk that dental professionals have found is the connection between diabetes and gum disease.
