People with severe gum disease are up to twice as likely to have high blood pressure.
- Periodontitis is associated with increased levels of glucose, cholesterol and, at the same time, a lower number of white blood cells and lower levels of good cholesterol.
- People with periodontitis have a higher risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19.
Taking care of your mouth is good for your heart. The link between gum health and cardiovascular disease has been documented through extensive research. In a new study published on March 29 in the journal HypertensionBritish researchers from the University College London showed that people with severe gum disease may be up to twice as likely to have high blood pressure.
The importance of good oral hygiene
Among gum infections, the researchers focused on cases of periodontitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the gum tissues that hold the teeth together and can lead to bone and tooth loss. Preventing and treating periodontitis is key to reducing inflammation and improving function of the endothelium, the membrane that lines the inside of the heart and blood vessels. “Patients with gum disease often have high blood pressure, especially if there is active gum inflammation or bleeding gums”, adds Eva Muñoz Aguilera, lead author of the study.
This study was conducted among 250 adults with generalized and severe periodontitis, i.e. with a gum infection affecting 50% of the teeth. The researchers compared their blood pressure to that of 250 adults without gingivitis. They found that a diagnosis of gum disease is associated with a two-fold increased risk of high blood pressure, independent of common cardiovascular risk factors. People with gum disease are also twice as likely to have high systolic blood pressure. Active inflammation of the gums, characterized by bleeding, is associated with consistently higher systolic blood pressure and periodontitis is associated with increased levels of glucose, cholesterol and, at the same time, a lower number of white blood cells and lower levels of good cholesterol.
Periodontitis increases the risk of severe forms of Covid-19
American researchers recently suggested that people with periodontitis have a higher risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19. In a research published in the Journal of the California Dental Associationthey show that the Periodontitis increases levels of an immune protein called interleukin-6, or IL-6. However, patients with Covid-19 who have high levels of IL-6 are more at risk of developing respiratory distress syndrome. This is due to the fact that interleukin-6 belongs to a group of immune cells called cytokines which plays a major role in causing the severe forms of Covid-19 to appear through the cytokine storm which is an overreaction of the system. immune. In periodontitis, IL-6 signals other immune cells to activate and together these molecules can cause an uncontrollable inflammatory reaction in the gums but also in the lungs.
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