WEST ALLIS , Wisconsin – It is becoming more evident each day that oral health is integrally linked to a person’s overall health. While dentists have long understood that periodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth loss, new evidence suggests it can affect more than just a person’s oral health.

Recent scientific research indicates periodontal disease might be linked to a variety of universal health conditions, including heart disease. Some studies published in the Journal of Periodontology suggest the amount of bacteria in subgingival plaque might be associated with an increased risk for heart disease.

One study examined 150 individuals with periodontal diseases and found the total number of periodontal bacteria in subgingival plaque was higher in those who had suffered a heart attack. Another study revealed DNA from different kinds of periodontal bacteria appeared in participants’ heart arteries. Finally, a research team discovered that 91 percent of patients with cardiovascular disease suffered from moderate to severe periodontitis, compared to 66 percent in non cardiac patients.

Continuing research seems to support the theory that bacteria found in the space between the gum and tooth (periodontal pocket) can enter the bloodstream through the inflamed gum tissue, potentially contributing to the development of other diseases.

Such findings further researchers’ understanding and help substantiate what they have long known, said Dr. Constantine Stamatelakys, a periodontist and Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA) president. “If there is a sterile pathway, such as a blood vessel, near a periodontally infected area, the bacteria can cause inflammation in the gums. This opens up pores in surrounding blood vessels, providing the potential for bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body,” he said.

Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection that destroys attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold a person’s teeth in his or her mouth.

Signs a person has periodontal disease include persistent bad breath, gums that bleed when teeth are brushed, red, swollen and tender gums, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, loose or separating teeth, pus between the gum and tooth and a change in one’s bite.

It is possible, however, to have periodontal disease and no warning signs or symptoms. This is why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are critical. Good oral health habits, including daily brushing and flossing, are essential to prevent periodontal disease or keep it from advancing.

The U.S. Surgeon General recognizes oral health as an integral part of a person’s total health, with the dentist being the primary oral health care provider. Periodontal disease can only be diagnosed and successfully treated with the proper intervention of a licensed dentist and qualified dental staff. Prevention is, and always will be, central to good oral health. Preventing dental disease can help people take better care of their overall health as well as their oral health.

The WDA launched a new healthy choices message – “Brush and Floss or Else…Risk Gum Disease and Heart Disease” in January of this year to help educate adults about the importance of oral health to overall physical well-being. Television and radio public awareness spots and a new patient education brochure are helping the association’s 2,900 members get this important message out to Wisconsin residents.

Established in 1870, the Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA) is headquartered in West Allis . With more than 2,900 members statewide, the WDA represents the vast majority of practicing dentists in Wisconsin . Its members are committed to promoting professional excellence and quality oral health care. The WDA is one of 53 constituent (state-territorial) dental societies of the American Dental Association - the largest and oldest national dental association in the world. For more information on the WDA, call 414-276-4520 or visit www.wda.org.

SOURCE: Wisconsin Dental Association

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