New Study: Gum Disease Doesn’t Cause Heart Disease

Health care professionals used to believe that periodontal disease caused cardiovascular disease or treating periodontal disease treats cardiovascular disease, but recent research from the American Heart Association shows this isn’t the case.

After experts reviewed more than 60 years of research on heart and gum disease, the AHA stated in a press release that there is no proof that gum disease causes heart disease or stroke. Gum and heart disease do have common risk factors such as smoking, age, and diabetes, which is likely why people often have gum and heart disease.

For more than 100 years, doctors have assumed that infected gums lead to heart disease. But many people with heart disease also have gum disease likely because they don’t take good care of their oral health like they don’t keep up their physical health. This is why many heart disease victims also usually have diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and smoke.

Gum disease is one of the main reasons adults lose teeth. It is still vital to take care of your teeth and gums, but this new research shows that fear of heart disease doesn’t have to be an oral hygiene motivator.

If you struggle with gum disease, Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental is here to help you. Contact us today.