Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 Gum and Heart Disease Link

By Dr. Linda Niessen
Monday, January 03, 2005
STORY:  GUM & HEART DISEASE LINK
SCRIPT #588 SHOOT:  11/02/04
AIRDATE:  Monday, Jan. 3, 2005
Daybreak and Midday
DHC #20   Timecode:  30:40 

Heart disease is expected to remain the number one killer in the U.S. throughout2005. No other disease kills more menand women than heart disease.And scientific studies suggest daily teeth brushing and flossing reducesthe risk of heart attack and stroke. Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry explains why in today's segment of Dental Health Check.

People who are having a heart attack arelikely to have serious periodontal or gum disease.Both the American Dental Association and the American Heart Association are supporting studies that investigate thelink between the two conditions.

"I think having gum disease, periodontaldisease is a risk factor for heart disease. The question is how strong a risk factor is it?  We don't know," said Perodontist Dr. Thomas Wilson.    

Mounting evidence suggests the risk ofheart disease increases when a patient has periodontitis or gum disease, which is a chronic infection that causes inflammation.Much of the debate concerns what exactly links the two.

Research shows high blood levels of a substance called C-reactive protein maybe the link. "C-reactive protein is put out in response to infection, to inflammation by the liver. And it can have negative effects in higher levels," said Dr. Wilson.Another study connects gum disease with an increased risk of stroke, the type caused by clogged arteries.

Dr. Wilson continued, "All we really understand now is there is some association. We don't know exactly what that association is."

So if gum disease is a risk factor forheart attack and stroke, how much does it increase the risk? "It probably is not nearly as strong as smoking, as genetic factors, as high cholesterol," Dr. Wilson said.

So reducing your risk can begin everymorning when you brush and floss your teeth. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M System, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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