Singling out a link between heart disease and bad teeth or gum disease is difficult because patients who suffer from heart disease have signs of other contributing factors, such as high cholesterol and a poor diet. Nonetheless, the American Heart Association believes there might be a link between gum disease and heart disease through high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). The American Heart Association notes that "hs-CRP may signal increased risks for heart attacks."
Hs-CRP and Heart Disease
Increased amounts of hs-CRP in the bloodstream is generally associated with more serious forms of tooth decay and gum disease. A 2002 study by the University of Buffalo published in the Journal of Periodontology, has shown that periodontal disease, for instance, can cause the liver to create high levels of hs-CRP in the bloodstream.
Expert Insight
Experts believe that the high levels of hs-CRP caused by dental decay or inflammation can be a contributing factor to heart disease. Dr. Steven Offenbacher, who has researched the links between gum disease and heart disease for 15 years, states that "[t]here's a lot of evidence to suggest that inflammation can be a hidden killer." Dr. Michael Kowolik, who researches gum disease, inflammation and hs-CRP at Indiana University, agrees, stating that "even if we think our mouths are healthy, we still may be at risk."
Theories/Speculation
Despite some agreement on the contributing factor of hs-CRP linking gum disease and heart disease, the medical community is still researching these links. In a CNN.com article, Emory cardiologist Dr. Arshe Quyyumi states that researchers are not certain whether hs-CRP is a signal for cardiovascular problems or whether it is a direct risk factor. Quyyumi has seen some direct damage to cells by hs-CRP in non-human lab experiments, and states that hs-CRP "might be full-blown risk factor for heart disease," similar to other contributing factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Further Research Needed
Researchers, such as Dr. Quyyumi, believe that long-term studies that involve tens of thousands of people with various risk factors to separate into control groups, are still needed to determine what effect hs-CRP has on the cardiovascular system. Other researchers state that there needs to be more coordination between cardiologists and dental researchers. Says Offenbacher, "The best thing that could happen on a national level would be to integrate dental findings into the cardiology studies."
Other Causes
Researchers are also looking for other links between gum and tooth disease and heart disease. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is sponsoring the development of drugs that will prevent proteins from developing bacteria from clumping in the blood cells. Researchers, such as project leader Dr. Steven Kerrigan, believe that this bacteria travels from bleeding gums and enters into the bloodstream, leading to heart attacks. Yet this conclusion is also hotly debated. Oral surgeon Dr. Gary Bouloux states that a connection between oral bacteria and heart disease is remote. As he states, "[i]s there any evidence of that association with heart attack and stroke? No."
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