A 2007 article published in the Journal of Periodontology, the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology, suggests that a healthy smile may promote a healthy heart.
Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. In fact, those with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without the condition.
Gum disease begins with gingivitis, characterised by swollen gums that easily bleed. Without treatment, the condition progresses to periodontal diseases. best implant dentist london These are serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibres and supporting bone that hold teeth in the 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 15 per cent of adults between 21 and 50 years old and 30 per cent of adults over 50 have the disease.dental hygienist london
Over the past decade, many studies have suggested a link between gum disease and heart disease, although the exact reason this happens and under what circumstances remains unknown. Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Researchers found diseased gums release significantly higher levels of bacterial components, such as endotoxins, into the bloodstream in patients with severe periodontal disease compared to healthy patients. These harmful bacterial components in the blood could travel to other organs in the body, such as the heart, and cause harm.affordable cosemtic dentistry london
Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease increases plaque build-up, which may contribute to swelling of the arteries. cost dental implants london The findings demonstrate the importance of regular dental check-ups to ensure a healthy mouth and smile.
A stroke is characterised by either bleeding in the brain because of a ruptured vessel or impaired blood flow to a part of the brain when a vessel is blocked by a clot. Fatty deposits lodged in carotid arteries (two large blood vessels in the neck that supply the brain with blood) of stroke sufferers showed that 70 per cent contain bacteria, and 40 per cent of those bacteria come from the mouth. It is this bacterium that can enter the bloodstream and stimulate clotting. Other effects associated with the bacteria can damage the lining of blood vessels, which can also increase the risk of stroke…read more