Can Gum Disease Give You a Heart Attack?

We’re pretty sure Frankenstein in a cemetery could give you a heart attack, but did you know that studies are showing there may be a link between gum disease or periodontal disease and the chance of heart attack?

So, what's the connection? How could periodontal disease affect what is happening with the health of your heart? If plaque, the white film that develops on teeth, is not removed, it hardens, turning into calculus or tartar. Over time, this calculus leads to gum disease which is accompanied by infection. This type of infection causes bone loss, irritated and red gums that bleed when you brush, and bad breath. The symptom that is worrisome to doctors is bleeding gums which open up the oral cavity to potentially make way for bacteria to enter the blood stream and travel around your body. If you already have plaque and build up in your arteries, the inflammation this bacteria can cause may further restrict the blood flow.

Periodontal disease isn’t just connected to poor heart health. In addition, studies have shown there could be a connection between periodontal disease and these other conditions:

• Stroke

• Diabetes

• Certain cancers

• Obesity-related diseases

• Preterm birth and low birth weight

• Alzheimer’s and dementia

• Respiratory health

• Rheumatoid arthritis

The bottom line, periodontal disease is a marker of chronic inflammation, which is harmful to many body systems. The mouth is not isolated - oral bacteria and inflammatory molecules can travel throughout the body. The good news is gum disease, if caught early, is completely curable, and the sooner you address it, the easier the treatment. If you experience any of the initial symptoms of periodontal disease (swollen, red gums, persistent bad breath or gums that bleed when you brush or floss), make an appointment to see your dentist.