Treat gum disease to improve heart health

A new study suggests that one way to improve the health of blood vessels is to aggressively treat periodontal (gum) disease.

The study found that adults who undergo intensive treatment for gum disease go through an immediate period of acute systemic inflammation that causes a worsening of endothelial function - a measure of how efficiently blood vessels are working.

However, overall health of their blood vessels is better in the long run, than that in people whose periodontal disease is not aggressively treated, according to the study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine this week.

Dr. Maurizio S. Tonetti of the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington and colleagues studied blood vessel function in 61 adults who underwent intensive treatment for their gum disease, including deep cleaning of the teeth and gums, treatment with antibiotics, and extraction of teeth that could not be saved.

They also studied blood vessel function in 59 "control" patients who received regular tooth cleanings and instruction in regular brushing and flossing.

After 24 hours, adults who got the intensive gum disease treatment showed signs of worsening blood vessel function. Their blood also had spikes in several markers of inflammation.

The situation had reversed at 60 days after intensive gum therapy, with blood vessel function better in the study group than in the control group.

By 180 days after treatment, there was a 2.0 percent difference in blood vessel function between the study group and controls and the degree of improvement correlated with improvement in periodontal disease.

There were no serious side effects in either group, and there were no adverse cardiovascular events in study subjects or controls.

Commenting on the findings, Tonetti told Reuters Health that patients with established cardiovascular disease and periodontitis require careful evaluation and management. However, he added, "for most patients, intensive periodontal therapy is safe."

SOURCE: The New England Journal of Medicine, February 28, 2007.