Brush your teeth, save your life?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States each year. Some risk factors of heart disease include high cholesterol, poor diet, and obesity. Most recently gum disease has been added to this list. Doctors have acknowledged the link between gum disease and heart disease for years. Recent research shows that high-sensitivity C-reactive-protein (hs-CRP) may play a role in this connection. Inflammation causes an increased about of hs-CRP in the bloodstream, and gum disease can cause this inflammation. Further research is being conducted to determine whether hs-Crp is a direct risk factor or mealy a danger signal. The American Dental Association recommends proper brushing, flossing and dental visits in order to prevent gum disease.

Other researchers are studying the link between mouth bacteria and heart disease. Bacteria in the mouth travel into the bloodstream where the form clumps with the blood cells; the clumps then flow to the heart increasing the risk of a heart attack. A group of researchers in Dublin are developing a drug that will hinder the proteins that allow the bacteria to clump with the blood cells. As we’ve learned in class, one way to hinder the effects of this protein is to denature it.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/11/18/dental.heart/index.html