Dr. Denis Moiseev, Associate Professor in the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry at Pirogov University, stated that periodontitis often affects the entire body.
According to him, periodontal diseases are an inflammatory disease that affects the supporting tissues of the teeth in the jaw, and in particular accelerates the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
He says: "Periodontitis is an open wound that bleeds continuously, covering an area of up to tens of square centimeters. When chewing, brushing teeth, and sometimes even at rest, bacteria and their toxins freely enter the bloodstream. Normally, the endothelium (the inner layer of blood vessels) is smooth and protected. But the constant attack by periodontal bacteria, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, causes systemic inflammation. Because these bacteria are capable of damaging the walls of arteries, they disrupt the function of the inner lining of blood vessels, accelerate the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, increase platelet aggregation, and thus directly contribute to the occurrence of blood clots."
The doctor points out that periodontitis may not present symptoms for a long time. Slight gum bleeding, a mild odor, and slight tooth mobility are usually attributed to using a hard-bristled toothbrush or aging. However, if your gums bleed while brushing, this is not a cosmetic issue but a direct indication that you need to take action.
He says: "Meta-analysis showed that acute periodontitis increases the risk of myocardial infarction by approximately 2.5 times and stroke by twice. This contribution is comparable to other factors such as high LDL cholesterol or smoking. But unlike cholesterol, chronic inflammation in the mouth can be resolved with just a few visits to the dentist. Cardiologists have included periodontitis in the list of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, patients with high blood pressure, in the event of a history of myocardial infarction or stroke, should undergo a complete gum examination. Because sometimes, treating the gums has a greater effect in reducing the risk of strokes than an additional dose of statins."
