Gum Problems Can Raise Risk Of Heart Disease

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} Gum Problems Can Raise Risk Of Heart Disease   We oftenthink of heart disease as being related to genetics or to what we put in ourmouths, but researchers are finding connections between heart disease and thehealth of our gums. Periodontal disease is basically a chronic infection of thegums caused by numerous bacteria that creates an inflammatory process in ourbody that greatly influences plaque build-up on artery walls. One studypublished a few years ago in the medical journal Circulation , found thathigh levels of gum disease increased the risk of atherosclerosis, namely;plaque build-up and hardening of the arteries. More recently, a study publishedin the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Lipid Research shed morelight on this connection. In that study, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that patients with severeperiodontitis (inflammation and chronic infection of the gums) had changes inthe lipoprotein (cholesterol) profile. They found that a particularly badcomponent of LDL cholesterol, called small-dense LDL , was elevated in those withperiodontal disease. According to lead author Rik van Antwepen, Ph.D; “Previous research has shown that people who have predominantly small-dense LDL in their blood are at a three- tosix-fold increased risk of heart disease and stroke”.   Another wayto understand the process at work here is that the chronic infection in themouth puts stress on the body’s response system just as an infection in anyother part of our body would. This stress causes the body to respond byreleasing various substances into the bloodstream which in turn create theplaque. Many cardiologists now counsel their patients about good periodontalcare just as they would recommend healthy diets, appropriate medications, andexercise.  Generally, teeth must be present in order to have an infectionof the gums, so people with dentures may not have to worry as much aboutperiodontal problems. The rest of the population should follow some simplesteps to prevent bacteria from setting up shop in our mouths.   Accordingto Dr. Ronald Inge, of the American Dental Association, people should get athorough oral exam to detect, diagnose, and treat any possible gum disease.Since the oral bacteria feed on food particles left behind after eating, itwould be wise to brush and floss frequently and regularly. He also discouragessnacking since snacks deliver a fresh meal to germs that working hard todestroy gums and teeth. Foods that won’t stick to teeth (fruits and veggies)are recommended if snacking is unavoidable.    To helpfight gum disease, there are a number of good mouthwashes and gum treatmentproducts that can be used. Look for products that contain any of thefollowing:  tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, clove, goldenseal,among others. It needs to be mentioned that Coenzyme Q10 can be quite helpfulin the fight against gum disease.  CoQ10 is needed to help support,strengthen and defend against tissue damage. In several studies, it was notedthat healthy gum tissue generally has normal levels of CoQ10, while diseasedgums show a deficiency. It has been found that in some cases, restoring CoQ10levels to normal may stop the progression of gum disease and lessen the needfor surgery on patients in advanced stages.   There has beenan old saying about the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, butit appears the more damaging avenue is through the mouth.     As alwaysconsult your physician of health care practitioner in all these matters thatimpact your health, seek corroboration of information, and most of all educateyourself. Andre Baran IV and his brother Bernard Baran, are co-owners of BrothersNutrition.com ( http://www.brothersnutrition.com ) as well as Brothers Nutrition in Edgewater, Florida..  They can be reached with questions or comments via e-mail at edge@brothersnutrition.com .

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