Diseases of gums do not increase the risk of heart disease
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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For two decades scientists have been talking about the relationship between gum disease, heart attacks and strokes. And unexpectedly the newest analysis of the data indicates that these statements are false. The American Association of Cardiologists published in AHA journal Circulation a "scientific report", which concludes that periodontitis does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and is not considered to be their cause. Not to mention that, there is not the slightest evidence that the treatment of periodontitis or professional methods, or by constant brushing with a brush can minimize the possibility of a heart attack or stroke.
For three years, the expert committee analyzed the results of 600 studies; supported the work of the Council of Science of the US Dental Association. As one of the committee staff emphasizes, if a strong causal relationship between atherosclerosis and periodontitis was present in reality or from atherosclerosis could have been eliminated by curing periodontitis, medical professionals would already know about it.
Hundreds of studies over the past 20 years have made it clear that periodontal disease is considered a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Although the majority of these works are called suspicious by experts, since they were observational in nature. In other words, they simply summed up that the cores or those who had already had a heart attack or stroke, often healthy people have periodontitis. Although this does not necessarily reflect a causal relationship. The risk of cardiovascular disorders may increase due to several factors, such as age, smoking, overweight, diabetes, low socioeconomic status or belonging to a strong half of the world population.
Another problem that almost all medical fields face is that negative studies are not made public. In other words, it is almost impossible that a journal will agree to publish a report on the work that failed to notice the relationship between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases.
The American Association of Cardiologists hopes that the publication of its decision will be useful, and people realize that periodontitis does not increase the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases, and therefore will focus on the real culprits of diseases - smoking, obesity, hypertension and stress.
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