The bacteria both above and below the gum line can be cleaned out, and your gums can be returned to their full health. It’s typically a non-invasive procedure. Still, gum disease isn’t pretty. And, to make matter worse, scientists have found a clear link between gingivitis and heart disease.

“I’ve treated many patients at my Reedley, California cosmetic dentistry office who have ignored the beginning signs of gingivitis,” says Dr. Dennis Ikuta. “By doing this, they are putting themselves at risk for serious dental and even heart problems.”

Heart Disease and Gum Disease: What’s the Connection?
In 2004, a study found that 91% of people with cardiovascular disease also had some degree of periodontal disease. This was a surprising find. Why would there be such a link between two seemingly unrelated conditions?

The answer, in a nutshell, is that gum disease – an inflammatory condition – releases chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals are pro-inflammatory, which triggers a similar inflammatory response throughout the body. That is to say: The same chemicals that hurt the gums and cause gingivitis get into the bloodstream and then hurt the heart.

A second study was also conducted which further illustrated this. Over 5,000 people were evaluated, and a high correlation between gum disease and CRP levels with further established. CRP is “C-reactive protein,” a test that reveals the amount of protein in the blood that signals acute inflammation.

The Solution
Gum disease can be treated quite effectively. It involves a deep gum cleaning technique called SRP, which stands for Scaling and Root Planning. This removes plaque and tarter from both above and below the gum line. The extent of this procedure depends upon the severity of the individual’s specific gum condition.

But does this remove the risk of heart disease? The answer is “not necessarily.” While it’s important to eliminate the source of the pro-inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream, treatment of heart disease is highly specific to the individual patient. Simply removing the gum disease does not automatically help your heart.

The Good News
This link between heart disease and gum disease is, overall, good news. Now patients who are diagnosed with heart disease know to make an appointment with their dentist and get screened for gum disease, and vice versa.

The connection is firmly established, and the earlier both heart disease and gum disease is detected, the greater the chance there is for successful treatment. So if you have one, be sure and get checked out for the other!

Schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Ikuta to treat the beginning signs of gum disease. You can visit his website or call the office at (559)638-6321 to schedule your appointment.