The link between oral health and "common diseases" such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes is being proven by more and more study data, writes the scientific information service "Zahnmedizin Report" in its July issue: Two studies published in renowned scientific journals show the effects of oral health on heart risk and diabetes.



Does brushing your teeth reduce heart risk?



British authors analyzed data from over 11,000 adults who took part in the comprehensive Scottish Health Survey. While it is now scientifically recognized that inflammation in the body (including the mouth, gums and tooth bed) plays an important role in the build-up of dangerous plaque in the arteries, the study in the British Medical Journal shows that even brushing your teeth has a role in the development of heart disease: study participants who brushed their teeth less had a 70 percent higher risk of heart disease than those who brushed their teeth twice a day. Participants with poor oral hygiene also tested positive for inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen. [1]



Interaction between periodontitis and diabetes



Treating periodontitis (inflammation of the tooth bed) can help diabetics to reduce blood sugar levels, according to a study published by the international Cochrane Collaboration. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh analyzed the results of studies on the link between diabetes and periodontitis. There is growing evidence that periodontitis is not only a consequence of diabetes - due to the impaired blood circulation in the fine blood vessels (capillaries) - but that, conversely, dental treatment of this inflammation can also reduce blood sugar levels. This means that treating the gums can also reduce the risk of serious diabetic complications such as eye damage, kidney and heart disease. [2]



Source: Dentistry Report 7/2010 - www.zahnmedizin-report.de



[1] C de Oliveira et al: Toothbrushing, inflammation, and risk of cardiovascular disease: results from Scottish Health Survey. British Medical Journal (2010) 340: c2451



[2] TC Simpson et al: Treatment of periodontal disease for glycaemic control in people with diabetes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2010) Art. no.: CD004714



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