Health Connection > Heart & Stroke

Controlling oral bacteria and maintaining a healthy balance is important to heart health and stroke prevention. For decades patients with congenital heart defects and recent joint replacements have been taking antibiotics prior to their dental appointments to reduce the likelihood of infection resulting from bacteria moving into the blood stream during routine procedures. Canadian Blood Services also screen out donors who have had a recent dental visit for the same reason.

Heart Disease

Infection in the mouth brought on by an imbalance of bacteria produce inflammatory chemicals that can penetrate the cell wall and travel to other sites in the body, including the heart. The immune system responds by producing antibodies, which react with plaque and cross-react with certain proteins in the heart. Chronic inflammation, such as periodontal disease, also triggers a response from the liver which can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

• Researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.
• These inflammatory chemicals can activate the underlying mechanisms for thrombosis – the production of clots that can block vessels to the heart and brain.

A 2006 study in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicated an association between periodontitis and presence of coronary heart disease. Periodontal bacteria, and particularly infection with A.actinomycetemcomitans were found to potential be of significance¹.

Stroke

Studies have indicated a relationship between gum disease and stroke. One study designed to identify whether Oral Infection is a risk factor for stroke found that people diagnosed with acute cerebrovasular ischemia, or stroke, were more likely to have Oral Infection when compared to subjects in a control group (those who had not been diagnosed with having had a stroke). The 2003 study in the American Heart Associations scientific journal, found a link between patients with periodontal disease and fewer teeth and with increased risk of ischemic stroke².

American Cardiologists and Periodontists recently presented a consensus statement on a more collaborative approach to treating these patients.

This relationship highlights one more important reason to control oral bacterial populations, and to detect infections as early as possible..

Ask your dental professional how a Novora^TM assessment can help monitor your health.

1. Spahr A, et.al., Role of Periodontal Bacteria and Importance of Total Pathogen Burden in Coronary Event and Periodontal Disease (CORODONT) Study  Arch Intern Med.
2. Joshipura KJ, et al., Stroke 2003;34(1):47-52.}