Relation between Periodontal Disease, Heart Disease, and Stroke
Periodontal disease is an advanced condition in which the gingival tissue around the teeth is infected by bacterial colonization. The bacteria found in plaque colonize first above, then below the gumline, causing the tissue to move away from the teeth. If periodontal disease is left untreated, deep pockets between gums and teeth are formed and the underlying jawbone is destroyed. The destruction of bone tissue causes the teeth to move, swing or completely detach from the bone.
Heart diseases, periodontal gum disease, and heart strokes may seem unlikely, but researchers have found that patients with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. In addition, research studies have found that oral infection is actually a risk factor for stroke. People with severe cerebrovascular ischemia are more likely to have a chance of periodontal disease as well.
Coronary artery disease occurs when the walls of coronary arteries become progressively thicker due to the formation of fat proteins. The heart then suffers from a lack of oxygen and must work significantly harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. Those who suffer from heart disease sometimes find blood clots that obstruct normal blood flow and reduce the number of vital nutrients and oxygen that the heart needs to function properly. This phenomenon often leads to heart attacks.
Reasons for connection
There
is no doubt that the presence of a periodontal disease can exacerbate existing
cardiac conditions. Periodontists and cardiologists generally work as a team to
treat individuals experiencing both conditions.
There
are several theories that may explain the link between heart disease, stroke
and periodontal disease, which include:
Oral
germs affect the heart health - There are many different strains of periodontal
bacteria. Researchers say that some of these bacterial strains enter the
bloodstream and stick to fat plaques in the blood vessels of the heart
(coronary arteries). This attachment, therefore, contributes to the formation
of clots that cause serious danger to the individual.
Inflammation
- Periodontal disease causes severe inflammation in the gingival tissue that
elevates the white blood cell count and also high sensitivity C-reactive protein
levels. Research studies have shown that high levels of C-reactive protein have
been linked to heart disease.
Diagnosis and treatment
Since
periodontal disease seems to be a risk factor for heart attacks and stroke, it
is very important to seek immediate treatment. Primarily, the periodontist will
undergo thorough examinations to evaluate the exact condition of teeth, gums,
and jaw. X-rays can be useful in determining whether bone loss is prevalent in
the upper and lower jaw.
The
dentist is able to conduct deep cleaning treatments such as scaling and root
planing to remove hardened calculus deposits (tartar) from gum pockets. An
antibiotic may be prescribed to ensure that the bacterium is completely
destroyed and periodontal infection does not spread. In most cases, periodontal
disease can be avoided with regular cleaning and home care.
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