February is Heart and Stroke Month, Most people are aware of some of the risk factors for heart
disease and stroke: family history, diet, obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle (couch potato
syndrome), aging or a pre-existing condition such as diabetes. But how many of us know that
infected teeth and gums may pose an additional risk?
“It is well accepted by the health community that untreated chronic infection can compromise
health,” said Dr. Doug Pettigrew, a Periodontist based in Edmonton. “Gum disease is no
different. If you have pockets of infection around all of your teeth that is equivalent to having a
6” open wound on your skin. Your body is weakened from fighting the infection and at the same
time, the bacteria and chemicals that enter your blood stream can, in turn, compromise your
health.”

Studies have suggested that chemical mediators of inflammation released in untreated periodontal
disease may result in changes in the inner lining of blood vessels including those leading to the
heart that increase the risk of atherosclerosis and blood clots. Although there is no proof of direct
cause-and-effect, there is evidence that periodontal disease appears to be moderately associated
with coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease according to Dr. Pettigrew.
Patients with periodontal disease may also find that it can complicate or postpone another planned
medical surgery. “People scheduled for heart valve, hip or knee replacements; kidney
transplants; and some other procedures must get a letter from a dentist stating they are free of
periodontal disease, otherwise the surgery may not proceed,” said Dr. Pettigrew. “Surgeons want
their patients to be free from dental or periodontal infection before they undergo these
procedures. Pre-existing infections such as gum disease may risk infection at the surgical site,
resulting in serious complications.”

For a person with periodontal disease, treatment may take as long as 1-2 years to clear up. But for
most of us, it’s a simple matter of maintaining good oral health by brushing, flossing, and
scheduling regular visits to the dentist for a check-up and professional cleaning and scaling. “If
gum disease is treated early, it is easy and inexpensive to treat, “adds Pettigrew. “If people ignore
signs of poor oral health such as bleeding gums, the condition may become more serious and
treatment will be more difficult and expensive resulting in unnecessary tooth loss.”
For more information about oral health and cardiovascular disease, talk to your dentist or go to
the Alberta Dental Association and College website www.abda.ab.ca.

Media contact:
Kimberly McDonald
Alberta Dental Association and College
Phone: (780) 432-1012 or toll free 1-800-843-3848