CHICAGO--Eliminating dental plaque may be an important step in preventing periodontitis and coronary artery disease according to a new study published in this month's issue of the Journal of Periodontology.
CHICAGO--Eliminating dental plaque may be an important step in preventing periodontitis and coronary artery disease according to a new study published in this month's issue of the Journal of Periodontology.
Researchers examined 20 individuals with chronic periodontitis. In 13 of the 20 patients, bacterial pathogens most frequently found in severe chronic periodontitis were also found in atherosclerotic plaque of coronary vessels. In 10 cases, those species of bacteria were also present in atherosclerotic plaque and in subgingival plaque."
Researchers examined 20 individuals with chronic periodontitis. In 13 of the 20 patients, bacterial pathogens most frequently found in severe chronic periodontitis were also found in atherosclerotic plaque of coronary vessels. In 10 cases, those species of bacteria were also present in atherosclerotic plaque and in subgingival plaque."
Atherosclerosis is a multistage process set in motion when cells lining the arteries are damaged as a result of high blood pressure, smoking, toxic substances and other agents.
Atherosclerosis is a multistage process set in motion when cells lining the arteries are damaged as a result of high blood pressure, smoking, toxic substances and other agents.
"We found that patients with periodontal pathogens detected in atherosclerotic plaque had four millimeters or greater of deep periodontal pockets and a significantly higher bleeding index," said study author Dr. Maciej Zaremba. "This supports the possibility that bacteria associated with periodontitis can permeate into coronary vessels."
"We found that patients with periodontal pathogens detected in atherosclerotic plaque had four millimeters or greater of deep periodontal pockets and a significantly higher bleeding index," said study author Dr. Maciej Zaremba. "This supports the possibility that bacteria associated with periodontitis can permeate into coronary vessels."
"Since periodontal and cardiovascular diseases have several common risk factors, more studies are needed to evaluate the strength of association between the two diseases," said Preston D. Miller, Jr., DDS and AAP president.
"Since periodontal and cardiovascular diseases have several common risk factors, more studies are needed to evaluate the strength of association between the two diseases," said Preston D. Miller, Jr., DDS and AAP president.
"It is very important for people to talk to their dentist or periodontist about their periodontal health and their at-home oral hygiene routine to prevent periodontal disease and maybe even coronary artery disease."
"It is very important for people to talk to their dentist or periodontist about their periodontal health and their at-home oral hygiene routine to prevent periodontal disease and maybe even coronary artery disease."
According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the number one single cause of death in the United States. Knowledge of the risk factors and possible links to coronary heart disease, such as periodontal disease is the first step towards preventing it.
According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the number one single cause of death in the United States. Knowledge of the risk factors and possible links to coronary heart disease, such as periodontal disease is the first step towards preventing it.
To find out if you are at risk for periodontal disease please visit the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org/consumer/4a.html and take a free risk assessment test.
To find out if you are at risk for periodontal disease please visit the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org/consumer/4a.html and take a free risk assessment test.
For a referral to a periodontist and a copy of the free brochures titled Periodontal Diseases: What You Need to Know and Ask Your Periodontist about Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease please visit www.perio.org, or call toll-free (800) FLOSS-EM (800-356-7736).
For a referral to a periodontist and a copy of the free brochures titled Periodontal Diseases: What You Need to Know and Ask Your Periodontist about Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease please visit www.perio.org, or call toll-free (800) FLOSS-EM (800-356-7736).
