Deep dental cleanings may cut heart disease risk by 10% each year

A thorough cleaning at the dentist can not only benefit your oral health.

In a two-year study of people with periodontitis or severe gum disease, Researchers at University College London (UCL) found that those who received intensive treatment – a deep cleaning of the entire mouth with regular follow-up visits – had slower thickening and blockage of a major neck artery and better blood vessel function than those who only received routine cleanings.

The randomized controlled trial examined 135 adults at UCL’s Eastman Dental Institute who had periodontal disease, which may be due to poor oral hygiene, genetics, smoking or uncontrolled diabetes, according to the study published this month in the European Heart Journal.

Common viruses linked to ‘dramatic’ increase in heart attack and stroke risk

After 12 and 24 months, participants who received an intensive deep cleaning showed less gum inflammation and fewer bacteria entering the bloodstream, and their arteries were healthier than those who received standard care of tartar and polish, which only removes plaque and tartar deposits.

Dr. Marco Orlandi, co-author of the study, said in a statement that the participants who received the intensive treatment for gum disease showed a 0.02 millimeter reduction in the thickening of their carotid arteries after two years.

“This is a significant result because even a reduction of 0.01 millimeters corresponds to a reduction of 10%.” Risk of cardiovascular disease – suggesting that participants reduced their risk by about 10% each year,” Orlandi said.

Doctors monitor the thickness of the wall of the carotid artery as an early warning sign of clogged arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. No actual cardiac events were counted in this study, but the arterial changes as well as reduced gum inflammation suggest that improved oral health could help combat cardiovascular disease.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER: FRUIT-BASED INGREDIENTS CAN HELP FIGHT GUM DISEASES NATURALLY

All participants were otherwise healthy and did not take regular medications, which helped researchers isolate the effects of gum disease treatment.

“That’s one of most things reliable evidence To date, there is no link between oral and cardiovascular health,” Professor John Deanfield, lead author of the study and director of cardiovascular prevention at UCL, said in a statement. “Treating periodontitis could be an effective tool in preventing serious cardiac and brain events such as heart attacks and strokes.”

Professor Francesco D’Aiuto, another co-author of the study, added that medical and dental professionals should work more closely together to identify and treat the cardiovascular effects of gum disease.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Periodontal disease affects approximately 40% of adults worldwide and, if left untreated, can result in bleeding, swelling and tenderness of the gums, as well as tooth loss.

“Your gums are part of your vascular system,” says Dr. Catrise Austin, a New York City cosmetic dentist and host of the podcast “Let’s Talk Smiles,” said Fox News Digital. “When they are inflamed and bleeding, your arteries feel it.”

Austin, who was not involved in the study, said the results are further evidence that doctors and cardiologists should start paying more attention to their patients’ gum health.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

“Ask a simple question like, ‘Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?’ “could help detect early signs of systemic inflammation long before more serious health problems arise,” she said.

She recommends patients brush their teeth twice a day, floss daily, get regular professional cleanings, stop smoking, etc Dealing with illnesses such as diabetes. “Not only do these measures protect your smile, they also reduce inflammation, which contributes to cardiovascular disease,” Austin said.

The study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Center in collaboration with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, adds to a growing body of research linking gum health to overall wellbeing.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

A large analysis of more than 500,000 people in the US was conducted earlier this year British Biobank found that people with signs of gum disease, such as bleeding or sore gums, are more likely to suffer from several chronic diseases, from diabetes to heart disease to depression.

Much of the evidence to date has been correlated, showing that people with gum disease tend to have a higher cardiovascular risk, but treating gum disease has not been proven to reduce heart attacks or strokes.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for comment.