Could there really be a link between the health of teeth and gums and heart health? As early as the 1800s some doctors believed there was a common thread between oral health and the functioning of the heart and other internal organs, but the theory went out of favor until recent studies once again have rediscovered the link between the two.
So, what exactly do gum disease and cardiovascular health have to do with each other? Disease in either is accompanied by inflammation, red swollen gums signaling the beginning of periodontal disease, and arteries hardening, swollen closed during atherosclerosis. And now, researchers in England have established a solid connection between good gum health habits and a lower rate of heart related disease.
The research, conducted by Richard Watt of the University College London, found that there is a 70 percent increase in risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in those with bad oral hygiene as compared to those who brush and floss twice per day. The research study involved nearly 12,000 participants, their oral hygiene habits and their heart health. The results were published May 27, 2010 in the British Medical Journal.
Daily brushing prevented gum disease and at the same time helped to prevent heart and vascular disease. Of the participants, those that reported brushing their teeth at least twice a day had only a 4 percent incidence of developing heart disease over the eight year study. Those that brushed less than once per day had an 11 percent risk.
What does this all mean for you? Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States and throughout much of the developed world. If there is a chance that risk for cardiovascular disease can be reduced by simply brushing your teeth it is certainly worth giving a try!
To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
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