The Oral Systemic Research Has Concluded That Oral Infection Can Lead To Or Worsen Systemic Diseases

Research has shown that oral infection can lead to a host of systemic diseases, including, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, low-birth weight babies, Alzheimer's, pulmonary disease, and some types of cancer.  Treating periodontal disease can improve your health and lower your risk of contracting deadlier diseases.

The evidence linking periodontitis to heart disease originated from a Finnish study in 1989 (27), which noted that patients who had heart attacks had more severe oral conditions including periodontal disease and tooth decay. Several studies since then have shown that pre-existing periodontal disease results in an increased risk for a heart attack or stroke. (2) The first National Health and Nutrition Examination survey followed 9760 subjects for 14 years. DeStafano and co-workers found that individuals with periodontitis at baseline had a 25% greater chance of having coronary artery disease. After adjusting for age, gender, race, education, poverty index, marital status, blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking, men with periodontitis had a 1.72 fold greater chance of cardiovascular disease!(28)

Periodontal Disease Allows Bacteria To Enter The Body Through Infected Gums.  The Bacteria Causes Infection Leading To Inflammation....Which In Turn Can Lead To Disease Processes.  

Inflammation in the body can be tested and treated years before a person might even be aware that they7 have a disease Researchers have known for quite some time that elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine identified elevated CRP levels as a stronger predictor of heart attacks than elevated cholesterol levels, and recommended CRP and cholesterol screening for accurate risk assessment of cardiovascular disease.

However, many clinicians were unclear of the cause of elevated CRP levels. A study published earlier this year in the Journal of Periodontology reported that inflammatory effects from periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection of the gums, cause oral bacterial byproducts to enter the bloodstream and trigger the liver to make proteins such as CRP that inflame arteries and promote blood clot formation. Study Abstract

"Periodontal disease needs to be considered as a major contributor to increased levels of CRP by the medical community," said Dr. Steven Offenbacher, member of the American Academy of Periodontology.

Previous studies reported that inflammatory effects from periodontal disease could cause oral bacterial byproducts to enter the bloodstream and trigger the liver to make proteins such as CRP that inflame arteries. In addition, these effects may cause blood clots that contribute to clogged arteries leading to heart attacks or strokes.

"What makes the recent findings noteworthy is that oral examinations were conducted on more than 5,000 adults in four U.S. communities already participating in a study to determine the risk of atherosclerosis," said Offenbacher. "This is most likely the largest study confirming that periodontal disease and body mass index are jointly associated with increased levels of CRP in healthy adults."

He added, "To reduce levels of CRP, and presumably the risk of cardiovascular disease, not only would it be important to lose weight if you are overweight, but it would also be important to get your gums treated."

CRP testing is now available in many hospitals and health centers. The American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are developing a summary on whether CRP levels should be routinely tested to diagnose heart disease or to monitor progress of treatments.

"Based on this information and the potential to prevent heart attacks and strokes, I foresee patients receiving routine CRP testing in their dentist or periodontist office in the near future," said Dr. Gordon Douglass, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. "This could help early diagnosis of potential heart disease sooner rather than later, as most people see their dentist or periodontist at minimum two times a year."