Heart disease kills about 610,000 lives each year, and it’s the number 1 killer of both men and women in the U.S. It’s a disorder of the blood vessels of the heart that can lead to a heart attack, high blood pressure, chest pain, and rheumatic heart disease. It’s a lifelong condition that once you get, you will always have. There’s no cure-all surgery or drug to take, and it can be extremely painful and life debilitating.
But did you know that there is a link between periodontal disease (gum disease) and heart disease?
Heart Disease and Gum Disease
So what do our gums have to do with heart disease? While there are some interesting correlations, the issue is still not completely resolved. In 2012, the American Heart Association concluded that poor oral health wasn’t a contributing factor of heart disease, but other studies have shown there is some kind of correlation.
For example, in 2016 a study conducted by the Karolinska University Hospital found that patients with gum disease had an increased risk of a first heart attack by 28%—but it’s still not known exactly why. Researchers have a few explanations. One is that the bacteria that accompanies periodontal disease travels through the body and causes more inflammation and fatty areas in the arteries, which can lead to heart problems. Some have also thought that the bacteria from gum disease may cause the liver to emit certain proteins that can affect the heart in negative ways overtime.
Gum Health for Cardiovascular Surgery
Because of this inflammation that periodontal disease can cause, gum health is vitally important for cardiovascular surgeries, too. In fact, you have to get cleared by a dentist before doing open-heart surgery! You should always get a gum cleaning before any kind of surgery related to the heart (and other types of surgeries, too), because inflammation in the gums will affect the outcome of surgery. If you have excessive bleeding in your gums, you will have excessive bleeding in your heart during surgery.
If you think you may have gum issues, you should see a doctor immediately so that you don’t go downhill fast with gum disease that could affect other areas of your body. Look for persistent bad breath, swollen and tender gums, gums that bleed a lot when you brush your teeth, loose teeth, etc. Treatment of your gums will definitely help you with other health issues, including the chance of heart disease and heart attacks.
As always, feel free to reach out to us with any questions!