Periodontal treatment to reduce risk

Taking care of your mouth is good for your heart. The relationship between gum health and cardiovascular disease has been documented through extensive research. In a new study published March 29 in the journal HypertensionBritish researchers from University London College They showed that people with severe gum disease could be twice as likely to develop high blood pressure.

The importance of good oral hygiene

Among gingivitis, researchers focused on gingivitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the gum tissue that connects the teeth together and can lead to bone and tooth loss. Prevention and treatment of gingivitis is essential to reduce inflammation and improve the function of the endothelium, the membrane that lines the heart and blood vessels from the inside. “Periodontal disease often has high blood pressure, especially with active periodontitis or bleeding gumsLead author Eva Muñoz Aguilera, continues the study.

This study was conducted on 250 adults with generalized and severe periodontitis, ie, 50% of the teeth affected the gums. Researchers compared their blood pressure to that of 250 adults without gingivitis. They found that a diagnosis of gum disease was associated with twice the risk of developing high blood pressure, regardless of common cardiovascular risk factors. People with gum disease are also twice as likely to have systolic hypertension. Active gingivitis, which is characterized by bleeding, is associated with high systolic blood pressure and periodontitis with increased levels of glucose and cholesterol and, at the same time, a decrease in the number of white blood cells and decreased levels of good cholesterol. .

Gingivitis increases the risk of developing severe forms of Covid-19

US researchers recently suggested that people with periodontitis are more likely to be severely affected by Covid-19. In research published in The Journal of the California Dental Association, They show that Periodontitis increases levels of an immune protein called interleukin-6 or IL-6. However, Covid-19 patients who have high levels of IL-6 are more likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome. This is because interleukin-6 belongs to a group of immune cells called cytokines which play a major role in causing severe forms of Covid-19 through a cytokine storm that is an overreaction of the immune system. In periodontitis, IL-6 indicates the activation of other immune cells, and together these particles can cause an uncontrollable inflammatory reaction in the gums as well as in the lungs.