Study Confirms Periodontal Disease Linked to Heart Disease
CHICAGO – February 7, 2002 – A study in the Journal of Periodontology confirms findings that people with are at a greater risk of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Researchers found diseased gums released significantly higher levels
of bacterial pro-inflammatory components, such as endotoxins, into the
bloodstream in patients with severe periodontal disease compared to
healthy patients. As a result, these harmful bacterial components in
the blood could travel to other organs in the body, such as the heart,
and cause harm.
The study is in line with recent findings by the University of
Buffalo where researchers suggest periodontal disease may cause oral
bacterial components to enter the bloodstream and trigger the liver to
make C-reactive proteins, which are a predictor for increased risk for
cardiovascular disease.
"We found the mouth can be a major source of chronic or permanent
release of toxic bacterial components in the bloodstream during normal
oral functions," said Dr. E.H. Rompen, director of the study. "This
could be the missing link explaining the abnormally high blood levels of
some inflammatory markers or endotoxemia observed in patients with
periodontal disease."
Researchers studied 67 patients of whom 42 were diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontitis and the remaining
were healthy individuals who had never received periodontal treatment.
Blood samples were taken before and after patients lightly chewed
chewing gum on each side of their jaw. Researchers found the number of patients with endotoxemia rose from six percent before chewing to
after chewing. Additionally, those with severe periodontal disease had
approximately four times more harmful bacterial products in their blood
than those with moderate or no periodontal disease.
"While this clinical study supports earlier findings, there is
still much research to be done to understand the link between
periodontal disease and systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular, and
difficult-to-control diabetes," said
president of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). "This data
clearly stresses the importance of regular dental checkups to ensure a
healthy, diseased-free mouth."
Periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections that
destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth
in your mouth. When this happens, gums separate from the teeth, forming
pockets that fill with plaque and even more infection. As the disease
progresses, these pockets deepen even further, more gum tissue and bone
are destroyed and the teeth eventually become loose. Approximately of adults between old and of adults have the disease. * EDITOR'S NOTE: Representatives of the media may contact the AAP Public Affairs Department to receive a copy of the study Systemic Release of Endotoxins Induced by Gentle Mastication: Association with Periodontitis Severity. Abstracts of Journal of Periodontology articles are available to the public online. Full-text of studies may be accessed by AAP members and Journal subscribers or purchased online.
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