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Link Between Gum and Heart Disease
From AAP
07-May-01
GROUNDBREAKING research has discovered a strong link between gum disease
and the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The world-first research conducted at Sydney's United Dental Hospital
(UDH) concluded that people with severe gum disease were at an increased
risk of developing blood clots, which could lead to heart attack and stroke.
Trial coordinator and periodontist Barbara Taylor said the trial of 25
people with periodontal disease established that oral health was linked
to general health.
Improving dental health could significantly reduce the risk of stroke
and cardiovascular disease, she said. “For far too long we've considered
the mouth to be separate to the body when quite clearly that is not the
case," she said. It was a timely warning given that half the general
community suffered gum disease, she said. The 25 patients participating
in the study had all their teeth removed because their gum disease was
so advanced. They were subsequently tested for blood clot risk factors
and those indicators dropped when the gum infection was removed, thus
reducing their risk of heart attack and stroke
"We've discovered that by treating severe periodontal disease we
observed a reduction in levels of enzymes in the bloodstream and those
substances are linked to the risk of future coronary heart disease,"
she said. "We saw a reduction in those substances and therefore a
reduction in risk as a result of treatment. It may be that the bacteria
that cause dental infection go into the bloodstream and cause damage to
the blood vessels."
One of her case studies, Neville Fortune, 45, said his gum disease was
so severe that his teeth were removed. He is diabetic and suffering heart
problems that forced him to give up work two years ago.
"My heart was beating a lot faster than normal," he said. He
was on medication and had trouble walking and performing everyday activities.
Since the removal of his teeth three months ago, he said his health had
improved dramatically; he had reduced his medication by half and was planning
to return to work.
"It's completely turned around. "I don't get exhausted, I've
put weight on and it improved my overall health," he said.
The link between his health problems and his gum disease had not been
considered significant until he got involved in the research project.
NSW Health Minister Craig Knowles acknowledged the research as "groundbreaking"
and "compelling" as he opened the $10 million refurbishment
of the UDH.
"We know that an investment in oral health is an investment in the
well being of the entire body," he said. UDH provides oral health
care to 200,000 patients every year who hold pensioner and healthcare
concession cards.
This report appears on news.com.au
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