The idea that healthy teeth equals a healthy heart may sound a little far fetched. But looking after your teeth and gums really can cut your risk of heart disease, according to a study in the British Dental Journal.

The BDA has said that poor oral health ranks alongside smoking and a high fat diet as a significant risk factor in the development of heart disease.

The authors hope it will encourage people to keep their gums healthy

Very advanced gum infections could increase a patient's risk of heart disease by 50%.

Link unclear

The authors of the report, two dentists at Newcastle University, do acknowledge that the exact link between gum and heart disease is not proved.

Professor Robin Seymour and Dr James Steele said: "The jury is out on the role of oral health in coronary heart disease ... but the pile of circumstantial evidence is mounting."

They agreed that the connection appears most obvious in men in their forties and fifties.

Twice a day

Gum disease is caused by bacterial plaque in the mouth. It is thought that inflammation of the gums can cause damage the blood vessels in the heart.

Dr Geoff Craig, Chairman of the British Dental Association's Health and Science Policy Group, said: "Ninety-five per cent of adults in the UK suffer from gum disease. However only 10% have serious problems and only a small proportion of these may be at risk from coronary heart disease.

"Gum disease is preventable - and is best dealt with by cleaning teeth thoroughly twice a day and visiting your dentist regularly for a check-up," he said.

Professor Seymour and Dr Steele said they hoped that the research may help motivate people to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

They said that giving up smoking is also crucial in reducing the risk of both gum and heart disease.

But the report may prove problematic for dentists. The findings raise the spectre of litigation by patients with heart problems who find they have long-standing undiagnosed gum disease.
 

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