Gum disease and heart disease: the connection most patients don't know about.

The mouth and the rest of the body are not separate systems. What happens in the gums does not stay in the gums. That is the implication of a body of research that has been building for decades, and it is why periodontists ask about cardiovascular history and cardiologists increasingly ask about gum disease.

Several studies have found that periodontal disease may increase the risk of heart disease. The leading theory is inflammation. Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory condition. The same inflammatory processes active in the gums appear to have effects on the vascular system, and researchers believe this is the mechanism behind the association.

The American Academy of Periodontology notes that periodontal disease can also exacerbate existing heart conditions. For patients at risk of infective endocarditis, antibiotics may be required before certain dental procedures. This is a conversation your periodontist and cardiologist should have together.

The research extends beyond the heart. Studies have found associations between gum disease and respiratory disease, certain cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. The diabetes relationship is bidirectional: people with diabetes are more susceptible to gum infection, and periodontal disease can make blood sugar harder to control in people who already have it. These are not separate health problems living in separate compartments.

None of this means gum disease causes heart attacks. The research shows association, not definitive causation. But association, especially across multiple independent studies, is reason enough to take gum health seriously as part of a broader health picture, not just a dental matter.

For patients managing heart disease, diabetes, or other systemic conditions, a current periodontal evaluation is relevant information. Gum disease treatment that resolves active infection removes one variable from a system that may already be under stress. New patients are welcome. (310) 903-7674.

Dr. Sharyar Baradaran, DDS, MS is a periodontist in Beverly Hills and a member of the American Academy of Periodontology. He has been in practice for more than 32 years.