The Links Between Your Oral Health and Heart Health

Heart disease is a silent killer that wiped out 46,946 Australians in 2012 (that’s 30% of all deaths that year). Cardiovascular disease was also the leading cause of 523,805 hospitalisations in 2011/12 and played a secondary role in a further 800,000 cases, according to the Heart Foundation.

There are a variety of reasons why diseases of the heart occur, but did you know that your oral health is linked to and affects your heart health? While it may seem strange to consider how the health of the heart is connected to the mouth, at Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, this is what we are all about – the links between your oral and general health.

There are a variety of reasons that the heart and mouth are interconnected:

1. Research has shown that those experiencing moderate or advanced periodontal (gum) disease are more susceptible to heart disease than those with absolute oral health.
2. A person’s health can be determined just by looking inside the mouth. Oral health provides accurate warning signs and clues regarding a person’s overall well-being.

The increased risk of having heart attacks due to gum disease

Your mouth is a passageway to numerous types of organisms and bacteria. The Academy of General Dentistry has stated that those who have been dealing with chronic gum disease are prone to having a heart attack.

Gingivitis is the term given to gum disease during its premature stages. As the gum disease progresses, it evolves into a periodontal disease mainly caused by plaque build-up.

How can gum disease contribute to the process of having heart disease?

Studies suggest that there is a huge possibility that gum disease is one culprit for heart disease due to the findings that bacteria derived from the infected gums can be dislodged, after which it goes down to the bloodstream and attach themselves to the blood vessels. Outcome? Increased clot formation.

Inflammation due to gum disease is another sinister reason that can trigger the increased formation of clots in the bloodstream.

Once increased, clots cause blockage, resulting in decreased blood flow to different parts of the body and, essentially, to the heart.

Elevated blood pressure is one of the main symptoms of heart disease.

Some of the basic risk factors for gum disease are diabetes, smoking, poor nutrition, and gender (being male).

Gum Infection May Be a Risk Factor for Heart Arrhythmia

Gum disease, known as periodontitis, is linked to dental issues such as bad breath, bleeding gums, and tooth loss. A study suggests it may also be connected to heart problems, specifically atrial fibrosis. Researchers discovered a significant relationship between periodontitis and atrial fibrosis in 76 patients with heart disease.

Gum Disease and Heart Problems: A Surprising Connection

Researchers at Hiroshima University have recently discovered that this common oral issue might be connected to more severe health problems, specifically related to the heart.

Research Findings: Inflammation Links Periodontitis and Atrial Fibrosis

In a study published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, the researchers found a significant connection between periodontitis and atrial fibrosis, a type of scarring in the heart’s left atrium. This scarring can lead to an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation. The study involved a sample of 76 patients with heart disease.

Key findings from the study:

• Significant correlation between the severity of periodontitis and the severity of atrial fibrosis
• Inflammation from gum disease could potentially worsen atrial fibrosis
• Periodontitis might be a new modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation
• Shunsuke Miyauchi, the study’s first author, explained that inflammation from periodontitis could potentially worsen atrial fibrosis.

Although the study provides evidence that periodontitis could be a new modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation, Yukiko Nakano, the corresponding author, cautions that it doesn’t prove a direct causal link between the two. More research is needed to establish whether treating gum disease can effectively alter the severity of atrial fibrosis.

“Further evidence is required for establishing that periodontitis contributes to the atrial fibrosis in a causal manner and that periodontal care can alter fibrosis,” Nakano said.

Future Implications: Dental Care in Atrial Fibrillation Management

Nakano highlights the potential benefits of including dental care in comprehensive atrial fibrillation management, alongside addressing other risk factors like weight, activity levels, and tobacco and alcohol use. Periodontitis could be a cost-effective target for reducing atrial fibrillation risks, benefiting many people worldwide if proven to be a modifiable risk factor.

“Periodontitis is an easy modifiable target with lower cost among known atrial fibrillation risk factors. Thus, the achievement of this study series may bring benefits for many people worldwide.”

Oral health vs. General health

Did you know that the majority of systemic diseases (more than 90%), which includes heart disease, correlate with oral symptoms?

Because of that, dentists can quickly pinpoint heart disease through proper oral examination and checking for any signs of inflammation, pain or infection. Through appropriate diagnosis and immediate treatment of gum and tooth infections, the next steps can be made for preventative health.

How to spot if you have gum disease:

1. You have swollen, red or tender gums.
2. Your teeth are getting loose or being separated from one another.
3. Bleeding gums during flossing or brushing.
4. Chronic, worse case of bad breath.

Prevent it before it gets worse.

The best prevention is battling it out on its core, where it started – in your mouth. Here are some simple ways to prevent gum disease, thus preventing systemic diseases like those pertaining to the heart.

1. Two-minute brushing at least two times a day. Gumlines are important, don’t disregard them while brushing.
2. Floss every day to get rid of plaque.
3. Mouth rinse is also essential – natural and organic if possible.
4. Increase consumption of foods packed with vitamins A and C.
5. Tobacco and cigarettes must be avoided at all costs.

Do you have concerns or more questions about any of the above? Explore the SHDC website for more information on a holistic approach to oral health and feel free to contact us for more information.

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