Can treating severe gum disease improve heart health? :- Medznat
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Can periodontal therapy improve cardiovascular health?

Periodontitis Periodontitis
Periodontitis Periodontitis

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In patients with severe periodontitis and cardiovascular disease, periodontal therapy improves oral health and reduces vascular thickness but does not significantly alter endothelial function.

A 6-month randomized clinical trial analyzed whether periodontal therapy could improve endothelial function and serum biomarkers in patients with a history of coronary heart disease and severe periodontitis (stages III–IV). In total, 35 volunteers were divided into 2 groups:

  • Test group: Received comprehensive periodontal therapy, including professional plaque removal (step 1) and subgingival instrumentation (step 2), along with an antiseptic mouth rinse for 7 days.
  • Control croup: Received only step 1 (oral hygiene instructions and professional plaque removal) and a fluoride-containing mouth rinse instead of the antiseptic one.


Researchers assessed endothelial function using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and measured carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. They also monitored serum markers of inflammation and cell adhesion at various time points (3 days, 10 days, 3 months, and 6 months) to track systemic inflammatory responses. Additionally, the study considered demographic factors, cardiovascular risk factors, medication intake, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and periodontal health outcomes to ascertain comprehensive analysis.


Key findings:

  • Periodontal Health: Patients in the test group exhibited remarkable improvements in pocket depth, bleeding on probing, and suppuration at 6 months when compared to the control group.
  • Endothelial Function: Although reductions in FMD were noted in both groups over 6 months, there were no significant differences between the groups [Test group: -3.43%; Control group: -6.75%).
  • cIMT: Both groups illustrated reductions in cIMT, but the improvement was more pronounced in the test group [Test group: -0.05 mm; Control group: -0.01 mm).
  • Inflammatory markers: Differences between groups were noted in IL-18 at baseline and 3 days and IL-8 at 10 days, suggesting that periodontal therapy may influence systemic inflammation in the short term.
  • While this pilot study confirmed improvements in gum health and cIMT, it did not demonstrate a pivotal effect on FMD, an important indicator of endothelial function. However, the observed early changes in inflammatory markers suggest that periodontal therapy may influence systemic inflammation, a known contributor to cardiovascular disease.


These preliminary results support the potential cardiovascular benefits of periodontal therapy beyond oral health. Although further larger-scale trials are needed to confirm its impact on vascular function, the study adds to the growing evidence that managing periodontal disease could be a valuable strategy for those with cardiovascular disease.

 

Source:

Frontiers in Oral Health

Article:

Effect of periodontal therapy on endothelial function and serum biomarkers in patients with periodontitis and established cardiovascular disease: a pilot study

Authors:

Ana Molina et al.

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