How Gum Disease Treatment Can Prevent Heart Disease

The American Heart Association has recently published research titled, \”Resolvin E1 Prevents Atheromatous Plaque Formation,\” which will appear in the May print issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (ATVB), shedding light on the important link between the mouth and heart. Scientists at the Forsyth Institute and Boston University found that using an oral, topical remedy for periodontitis also helped lower the risk of heart attack. The active ingredient is an inflammation-resolving molecule, known as Resolvin E1

This is the first study where researchers discovered a link between gum disease treatment and the reduction of vascular inflammation. One of the key findings in this study seems to highlight how issues with the mouth affects the rest of the body. Lead Investigator Hatice Hasturk, DDS, PhD, an associate member of Forsyth\’s Department of Applied Oral Sciences and director of Forsyth\’s Center for Clinical and Translational Research said, \”Our research is helping to underscore the very real link between oral health and heart disease.\” Further, \”The general public understands the connection between heart health and overall wellness, and often takes appropriate steps to prevent heart disease. More education is needed to elevate oral wellness into the same category in light of proven connections to major health conditions.\”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 64.7 million adults are affected by gum disease and heart disease accounts for one in four deaths in the United States. Therefore, Forsyth’s findings suggest it is critical for to expand the public’s awareness of potential risk factors beyond diabetes, smoking, cholesterol and high blood pressure. Americans should become informed gum disease is likely a critical factor in heart disease “independent from diet and lifestyle.”

The research authors are Hatice Hasturk, Rima Abdallah, Alpdogan Kantarci, Daniel Nguyen, Nicholas Giordano, James Hamilton and Thomas E. Van Dyke.

David Wilhite is a Plano Dentist specializing in periodontal gum disease treatment with over 30 years of experience in general and cosmetic dentistry. He can help you with everything from a consultation, to a check-up, to cleaning, whitening, and full mouth restoration.

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Story Source:

Forsyth Institute. (2015, April 14). How gum disease treatment can prevent heart disease. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 17, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150414110424.htm