Connection Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease?

There has been a proven connection between gum disease and heart disease. Because periodontal disease is a chronic disease, it creates inflammatory mediators that circulate in the bloodstream. Once these mediators get into the heart vasculature, they can damage the heart valves and blood vessels, leading to greater risk of cardiac disease.

Controlling periodontal disease can lessen these mediators, and help prevent or at least lessen the risk for cardiac disease. For many years, the dentists found that a lot of their patients who had periodontal disease also had heart disease. Recent research has proven this theory correct. 

A lot of our patients that have periodontal disease exhibit symptoms of red, swollen gums and bleeding. These are a classic signs of inflammation. Inflammation in the body is not good for your heart, as well. Controlling the bacteria in your mouth helps your heart to be healthy. 

There is a blood test marker called C reactive protein that a lot of physicians will measure to measure the amount of inflammation in the body. Controlling your periodontal disease will help lower your markers for C reactive protein.