People who don’t brush their teeth twice a day are more likely to suffer from heart disease, according to a recent study.
The study published in the British Medical Journal found that people who never or rarely brush their teeth are 70 per cent more likely to suffer from heart disease than those who brush their teeth twice a day. The study looked at the habits of 11,000 adults and found those with poor oral hygiene had a higher risk of getting heart disease, compared with those who brushed twice a day.
The study backs up previous research linking gum disease with heart disease. It is known that inflammation in the body, including in the mouth and gums, has an important role in build up of clogged arteries, which can lead to a heart attack.
However, this is the first time that researchers have examined the frequency of teeth brushing to see whether it has an impact on the risk of developing heart disease. In the study, six out of 10 people said they visited the dentist every six months and seven out of 10 reported brushing their teeth twice a day.
During the eight-year study there were 555 ‘cardiovascular events’ such as heart attacks, 170 of which were fatal. Those with poor oral hygiene also tested positive in blood samples for proteins which are suggestive of inflammation.
Study leader Prof Richard Watt, from University College London, said “Our results confirmed and further strengthened the suggested association between oral hygiene and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, inflammatory markers were significantly associated with very simple measure of poor oral health behaviour.
“Further experimental studies will be needed to confirm whether the observed association between oral health behaviour and cardiovascular disease is in fact causal or merely a risk marker.
Brush teeth to ward off heart attacks
The importance of treating Gum Disease
Treating serious gum disease in people with diabetes mellitus can help to reduce high blood sugar levels, according to a new study.
The study carried out by an inter-university research team including the UCL Eastman Dental Institute and Peninsula Dental School, looked at previous research into the link between diabetes and serious gum disease.
The results showed that there is a small but potentially highly important benefit to treating periodontal disease in diabetic patients.
However, further research needs to be conducted in order to fully establish the link between the two conditions.
Currently, it is thought that dental inflammation, caused by bacteria infecting the mouth, results in chemical changes that reduce the overall effectiveness of insulin, thus leading to raised blood sugar levels.
Dental treatment to reduce oral inflammation may therefore help to lower bloody sugar levels. This means a decrease in the overall risk of contracting serious health complications associated with the condition, including heart disease and eye problems.
Prof Ian Needleman from the UCL Eastman Dental Institute called the research ‘particularly timely’ because ‘periodontal disease now affects at least 40 per cent of the UK population. And for people with diabetes the disease levels will be significantly higher’.
He added: “Furthermore levels of diabetes in the UK are rising rapidly and with higher prevalence amongst disadvantaged groups, periodontal health is an important priority both for prevention and treatment.
“Whilst the most important aspect of insulin control in diabetes management is the use of drugs and diet, maintaining good dental health is something patients and healthcare professionals should also recognise, particularly because it is easy to treat”
The findings, which have been published as part of the international ‘Cochrane Collaboration’, highlight the need for doctors and dentists to work together in the treatment of diabetes.
How can I treat gum problems if they occur?
Your dentist or hygienist will help treat your gum problems by making sure that your teeth are throughly clean. They will also remove any hardened deposits in your mouth (tartar and calculus) that may be helping the plaque to congreate.
Your dentist may recommend treatment using Chlorhexidine Digluconate based mouthwash, such as Corsodyl.
Corsodyl Mouthwash contains an antibacterial ingredient that attacks and help kill the plaque bacteria which are causing your gum irritation. In addition, Corsodyl forms a coating on your teeth, which lasts for up to 12 hours to help prevent new plaque forming on your teeth and causing further irritation.
Who can get gum disease?
90% of the population are estimated to suffer at some point in their life. Gingivitis can affect anyone of any age, although it is less likely in younger children. Some groups are more at risk, such as pregnant women, due to hormonal changes.
How can I prevent gum disease?
The best way to avoid or alleviate gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene.
• Brush your teeth throughly twice a day for at least 2 minutes. Use a Total Care toothpaste, designed to help prevent gum disease and containing fluoride to protect against decay.
• Use floss or interdental brushes at least once a day to clean in between your teeth and remove plaque, in particular from around the gum margin.
• Visit your dentist reguarly.
What causes gum disease?
Dental plague is the main cause of gum disease with some people being more susceptible than others. Plaque is the sticky layer that collects on the surface of your teeth and gums. This plaque can become hardened and form into a hard surface layer of tartar (calculus). The bacteria in the tartar continue to attack the tissues that support the root of your tooth.
How can I tell if I have gum disease?
If you have gingivitis
• Your gums will be red in colour rather than the usual healthy pink.
• They will also tend to be slightly puffy or swollen.
• Inflamed gums also bleed, usually when you brush your teeth or bite into something hard such as an apple.
• In severe cases your gums may bleed of their own accord.
If you think you have any of these symptoms, dont ignore them, ask your dentist.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease describes swelling, sorness or infection of the gum tissue.
There are 2 main forms of gum disease:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. Your gums will be red and swollen and may also bleed easily when you brush your teeth. There is usually little or no pain.
Periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis can lead tp periodontitis. As plaque spreads and grows below the gum line the tissues and bone that support your teeth are broken down and destroyed. Your gums may become separated from your teeth to form pockets, which become infected. Eventually teeth may become loose and have to be removed.
How Gum Disease Can Affect Your Health
All of us want to keep our smile intact as we get older, and not end up dealing with dentures and plates – or worse, having mouths that look like checkerboards.
Luckily, there are simple, easy ways to keep your teeth intact into old age. What’s more, they may not just save your smile – they could save your life.
Overly dramatic? No, not really. The number one cause of adult tooth loss is periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease – but, with gum disease, the dangers don’t actually stop with your mouth. Bleeding and swollen gums left unattended can aid and abet a number of much more serious overall health problems, as medical researchers are just beginning to discover.
If you do have slightly swollen, sore and/or bleeding gums, you’ve probably already got gingivitis – a milder form of gum disease. This results from an accumulation of plaque on your teeth and not getting a regular professional cleaning at your dentist’s office – the plaque causes your gums to be inflamed.
Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, where the bacteria from the gum disease literally attack the supporting bone structure of your tooth, and weaken it, until the potential for actually losing the tooth becomes very real.
And that’s actually not the worst part. Not only has the bacteria declared war on your tooth, it’s also mounting an attack on the rest of your body. The bacteria, through your gums, hitches a ride out of your mouth through your bloodstream and ends up causing a host of other health-related problems.
Multiple studies have linked periodontitis to heart disease, strokes, pneumonia, diabetes complications and even premature births. The same bacteria that inflamed your gums can also end up inflaming the arteries of your heart – as well as other critical blood vessels in the body.
The American Academy of Periodontology has estimated that up to 30 percent of Americans are genetically susceptible to gum disease, even with good oral health care. The rest of us need to guard our gums just as vigilantly, because gingivitis and even periodontitis can happen to anyone, if they’re not careful.
Our dentists understand the importance of good gum care. While daily brushing and flossing is certainly critical to maintaining gum health, there is no substitute for getting a good professional cleaning at least every six months – it’s the only way to remove more advanced plaque build-up. “It’s much cheaper and easier to prevent gum disease in the early stages, then to deal with it when it becomes more severe and dangerous.
Make an appointment for a professional cleaning and exam. It’s an easy way to stay healthy – and keep smiling!