The Gum Disease-Heart Health Connection

April 23, 2009

Posted by Maggie Spilner

Did you know that seeing your dentist can be critical to the health of your heart? That’s because your gums can be a source of inflammation that spreads throughout your body and can lead to heart disease, stroke or even diabetes. Recent studies have even found the germs that start in diseased gums inside the plaques of atherosclerotic arteries. And the most dangerous form of LDL cholesterol, known as VLDL (very-low density lipoprotein) seems to be higher in people who have serious periodontal disease.

All that scraping and poking you have to endure during your recommended 6-month dental check-up is not just saving your teeth, it’s protecting your cardiovascular system! That plaque build-up on your teeth can cause gingivitis. Your gums may get swollen, red, inflamed, and may bleed easily when you brush them. Untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease where teeth, inundated with bacteria, actually lose their structure and become loose and either fall out or need to be pulled. A whopping 90% of Americans will be affected by gum disease during the lifetime. And 25% will lose one or more of their teeth to periodontal disease by the time they reach 60!

While brushing, flossing, using mouthwash and seeing your dentist regularly can help protect your mouth and therefore the rest of you, there are nutritional solutions that can also help by reducing inflammation, boosting your immune system and helping to fight plaque-causing bacteria. It’s also important to know that smoking decreases circulation to the gums and is therefore a potent risk factor for developing gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Maintaining Oral Health with Supplements

Vitamin C is critical to healthy connective tissue — and that’s what gums are. A lack of vitamin C can result in swollen, bleeding gums. Since gums need a lot of vitamin C for optimal health, even minor deficiencies can lead to gum disease. We recommend a minimum of 500 – 1,000 mg a day from supplements. Other antioxidants like vitamin A and vitamin E, bioflavonoids, selenium and zinc, are also key for nutritional support for the gums. Anti-inflammatory nutrients like bromelain and glucosamine also help reduce gum inflammation.

Green tea has antibacterial properties that help fight tooth decay and may help deter periondontal disease. Green tea is rich in a class of antioxidants called catechins. Two in particular, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) and ECG (epicatechin gallate), combat oral plaque and bacteria These green tea polyphenols work as anti-plaque agents by suppressing glucosyl transferase, which oral bacteria use to feed on sugar. Other research has shown that green tea extract can kill oral bacteria and inhibit collagenase activity. Collagenase, a natural enzyme that becomes overactive in the presence of bacterial overgrowth, can destroy healthy collagen in gum tissue.

CoQ10 helps fight the inflammation associated with gum disease when applied topically as well as taken internally. Studies conducted with CoQ10 in Japan showed a reduction in bleeding and swelling and a reduction in the depth of “pockets” that form during periodontal disease and harbor bacteria. Studies used oral dosages of 50 – 75 mg a day.

Folic acid promotes healthy gums by reducing redness and bleeding. Several studies have shown that folic acid is effective at reducing the inflammation of gingivitis when used as a mouthwash. One double blind study of 30 people showed that 30 days of 4,000 mcg of folic acid reduced inflammation.

Calcium, magnesium and vitamin D support health bones and teeth. One study followed more than 140 older adults for five years. Participants took either a placebo or 500 mg of calcium plus 700 IU of vitamin D daily for three years. Both during and after the trial, their teeth were examined periodically. For those who took supplements, the likelihood of losing one or more teeth was 40% less, even two years later.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Don’t let gum disease compromise your health or longevity. Maintaining good oral health will help you keep your smile intact, as well as your cardiovascular health. Good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups and getting optimal nutrition can save your teeth and your life!