Gum Disease Bacteria may Increase Risk of Heart Disease

It's easy to skip a dental cleaning or two over the years. Yet a recent study shows that increased bacteria presented through gum disease can increase the risk of heart disease. In fact, researchers from the University of Florida's College of Medicine found that specific bacteria linked to gum disease--including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia,Fusobacterium nucleatum--could also enter the heart and even the aorta, or the left ventricle of the heart that extends into the abdomen.

"We report evidence that introduction of oral bacteria into the bloodstream in mice increased risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease. Our hope is that the American Heart Association will acknowledge causal links between oral disease and increased heart disease. That will change how physicians diagnose and treat heart disease patients," said Irina M. Velsko, a graduate student in the University of Florida's College of Medicine, via a press release.

As heart disease remains the leading cause of death throughout the United States, statistics show that gum disease affects about 46 percent of the population. However, gum disease has yet to be linked as a definite risk factor for heart disease despite the connection between these two health issues. Researchers hope that this and future studies can push doctors to conduct more in-depth screenings for relationships between the two problems.

"Our intent is to increase physician awareness of links between oral bacterial infection and heart disease," said cardiologist and co-investigator of the study, Alexandra Lucas, via the release. "Understanding the importance of treating gum disease in patients with heart disease will lead to future studies and recommendations for careful attention to oral health in order to protect patients against heart disease."

More information regarding the findings were presented at the American Society for Microbiology's annual meeting in Boston, Mass.