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A deep cleaning at the dentist can benefit more than just your oral health.
In a two-year study of people with periodontitis or severe gum disease, researchers from University College London (UCL) found that those who received intensive treatment – deep mouth cleaning with regular monitoring – had slower thickening and blockage of a major artery in the neck and better blood vessel function than those who only had routine cleanings.
The randomized controlled trial followed 135 adults at UCL’s Eastman Institute of Dentistry who had periodontitis, which may be due to poor oral hygiene, genetics, smoking or uncontrolled diabetes, according to research published this month in the European Heart Journal.
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At 12 and 24 months, participants who received intensive deep cleaning had less gum inflammation and less bacteria entering the bloodstream, and their arteries were healthier than those who received standard care with salts and polishing, which only removes plaque and tartar buildup.
A new study has found that deep dental cleaning could benefit heart health. (iStock)
Dr. Marco Orlandi, co-author of the trial, said in a statement that participants who received the intensive gingivitis treatment had a 0.02 millimeter reduction in the thickening of their carotid arteries after two years.
“This is an important result, as even a 0.01 millimeter reduction corresponds to a 10% reduction in CVD risk, suggesting that participants reduced their risk by about 10% each year,” Orlandi said.
Doctors monitor carotid wall thickness as an early warning sign of blocked arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. This study didn’t measure actual heart events, but the changes in the artery, along with lower gum inflammation, suggest that improved oral health could help fight cardiovascular disease.
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All participants were otherwise healthy and did not take regular medication, helping the researchers isolate the effects of gum disease treatment.
The researchers found that participants who received deep gum cleaning showed slower carotid thickening. (iStock)
“This is some of the strongest evidence to date that oral and cardiovascular health are linked,” said Professor John Deanfield, lead author of the study and director of cardiovascular prevention at UCL. “Treating periodontitis could become a powerful tool for preventing serious heart and brain events, such as heart attacks and strokes.”
Professor Francesco D’Aiuto, another of the study’s co-authors, added that doctors and dentists should work more closely together to recognize and treat the cardiovascular effects of gum disease.
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Periodontitis affects approximately 40% of adults worldwide and can cause bleeding, swollen and tender gums and tooth loss if left untreated.
“Your gums are part of your vascular system,” Dr. Catrise Austin, cosmetic dentist in New York and host of the Let’s Talk Smiles podcast. “If they’re inflamed and bleeding, your arteries feel it.”
Experts recommend daily brushing, flossing, and daily cleanings to reduce inflammation that can affect more than just your mouth. (iStock)
Austin, who was not involved in the study, said the findings are further evidence that doctors and cardiologists should start paying more attention to their patients’ gum health.
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“By asking a simple question like, ‘Do your gums bleed when you brush?’ could help detect early signs of systemic inflammation long before more serious health problems arise,” he said.
For patients, he recommends brushing twice a day, flossing daily, getting regular professional cleanings, quitting smoking and managing conditions like diabetes.
“These steps not only protect your smile, but they also reduce the inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular disease,” Austin said.
The study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Center in collaboration with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, adds to a growing body of research linking gum health to overall wellbeing.
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Earlier this year, an analysis of more than 500,000 people at the UK Biobank found that those with signs of gingivitis, such as bleeding or sore gums, were more likely to have multiple chronic conditions, from diabetes to heart disease and depression.
The study measured carotid artery thickness, an early sign of heart disease. (iStock)
Much of the previous evidence was correlated, showing that people with gingivitis tend to have a higher cardiovascular risk, but did not prove that treating gingivitis reduces heart attacks or strokes.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for comment.
