It is increasingly demonstrated that diseased gums are an important cardiovascular risk factor. This is why a patient who has gum ailments usually has a much higher risk of suffering from any cardiovascular disease.
To prove it, dentists and cardiologists of the Spanish Society of Periodontics (SEPA due to its name in Spanish) and The Spanish Society of Cardiology joined forces to make a study. Its objective is to demonstrate the relationship between good oral health and heart disease.
What relationship exists between both pathologies?
According to the cardiac rehabilitation programs, working hand in hand with various dentists, it turned out that, both sciences must be united. This is because atherosclerotic processes can be slowed or even reversed, which undoubtedly reduces the morbidity and mortality of patients.
Therefore, the recommendation given in this study is that oral health care should be taken more into account. This both in the clinical field, and at a preventive level, causing a lower risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
In all cases, it is also related to the general health of the patient, but oral care certainly plays a vital role. Therefore, dentists should choose to motivate patients to have healthy lifestyles, thus achieving better overall health.
Positive effects of the study
Thanks to this study, patients with heart disease were made aware of how important it is to have good oral hygiene as a critical part of avoiding cardiovascular risks. Especially hygiene was promoted in the patients of the rehabilitation units.
It was also concluded that not only heart disease is reduced, but also the risk of suffering from chronic inflammation that generates periodontal pathology is diminished. In this way, you can help prevent atherosclerosis, by merely improving habits and changing them for healthy habits.
The goal is to work hand in hand, among specialists in oral health, and those in heart health. With this, the initiative would be extended to all Cardiac Rehabilitation Units.
Relevant data of oral diseases
According to SEPA, the results of oral diseases in Spain can be alarming, since they are presented as follows:
- One in four people with dental implants can develop peri-implantitis, the tissues around the implant becoming inflamed.
- Mucositis can also occur in a total of 50% of patients who develop a peri-implant disease after therapy.
- The number of dental implants placed in Spain is around 1,200,000 and 1,400,000 a year, taking into account the previous figures is quite alarming.
- Between 85% and 90% of the population over 35 years of age, suffer from some periodontal disease, especially gingivitis.
- Advanced periodontitis affects almost 11% of the world’s population.
Taking these data into account, it is essential to consider these diseases, because if they are prevented, the risk of heart disease will be reduced.