Chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease, influences prognosis and the severity of heart attacks

Woollahra Dental would like to share a journal from the University of Granada about chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease, influences prognosis and the severity of heart attacks.

The researchers from the University of Granada have demonstrated for the first time that chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease which provokes gradual teeth loss, is closely related to the severity of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as heart attack.

In a pioneering research, published in the Journal of Dental Research, and titled "Acute myocardial infarct size is related to periodontitis extent and severity," this team has demonstrated that the extent and severity of chronic periodontitis is related to the size of acute myocardial infarction through seric levels of troponin I and myoglobin (biomarkers of myocardial necrosis).

This research results in part from the conclusions of Rafael Martín Marfil Álvarez's doctoral dissertation, which was directed by UGR professors Francisco Mesa Aguado (Stomatology Department), José Antonio Ramírez Hernández (Medicine Department), and Andrés Catena Martínez (Experimental Psychology Department). This research analysed 112 patients who had suffered from acute myocardial infarction, at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital Cardiology Unit. They all underwent a series of cardiological, biochemical and periodontal health checks and tests.

According to professor Francisco Aguado, one of the authors of this research (which will have to be confirmed through further research), "chronic periodontitis appears as a death risk factor and it plays an important role in the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction."

Researchers point out that it will be necessary to conduct follow-up checks with periodontal patients who have suffered myocardial infarction in order to determine the severity (or lack of it) of their clinical evolution (new coronary events, cardiac failure, or even death).

"If that happens to be the case, chronic periodontitis should be considered as a predictor in the development of myocardial infarction, and be therefore included in the risk stratification scores," according to Mesa Aguado.

For more information about how to prevent gum diasease make an appointment today 02 9363 5690.
Woollahra Dental 27 Queen Street - Woollahra NSW 2025


Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by University of Granada. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
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Journal Reference:
R. Marfil-Alvarez, F. Mesa, A. Arrebola-Moreno, J. A. Ramirez-Hernandez, A. Magan-Fernandez, F. O'Valle, P. Galindo-Moreno, A. Catena. Acute Myocardial Infarct Size Is Related to Periodontitis Extent and Severity. Journal of Dental Research, 2014; 93 (10): 993 DOI: 10.1177/0022034514548223

Your Secret to Keeping a Great Smile

In our website, we have described the procedures for Preventative care.
Preventative care is vitally important for overall dental health. Maintaining a thorough oral health routine will keep your smile fresh, your teeth and gums healthy, and is important for looking after your overall well-being.

Gum disease can begin for no apparent reason and can remain unnoticed for a considerable amount of time. Occasional bleeding during home care or sore gums may be only symptoms you get of gum disease that can lead to receding gums and loose teeth. Recent research has shown links between gum disease, cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems and premature births. Uncontrolled gum disease can also destabilise treatment for diabetes. Healthy gums help to maintain a balance in all these medical conditions.

Have you visited a Dental Hygienist before? The mission for our Dental Hygienists is to deliver tailored preventative dental care to our patients in a gentle and caring way, to help our patients maintain the health of their gums, strengthen their teeth and keep their smiles looking beautiful.


Dental Hygienists perform:

• Cleaning and scaling teeth to remove all plaque and calculus (tartar)
• Removal of surface stains from the teeth
• Apply pit and fissure sealants to help prevent decay
• Saliva testing to assess your risk of gum disease and decay
• Help monitor the strength of your teeth
• Whiten and brighten your teeth with in-surgery teeth whitening
• Help prevent dental Injuries using mouth guards
• Instruction in tooth brushing and flossing
• Counselling in proper nutrition
• Presentation of prescribed dental treatment
• Recommending future treatment (orthodontics, periodontal therapy, etc) in consultation with your dentist.

Oral Health care

A Dental Hygienist visit is routinely performed every six months depending on the patient’s requirements and is usually between 45 minutes and 60 minutes. The process is very gentle and comfortable and your dental hygienist will recommend a suitable timeframe to keep your gum in healthy state.

"Frequent Dental Hygiene visits are the best way to maintain the health of your teeth and gums and prevent the need for complex dental procedures"


Fissure sealant

Fissure Sealants are the best non-invasive preventive measure against dental decay on the biting surfaces of the teeth where decay is common.
The grooves on the biting surfaces of most molar teeth are too deep and too narrow to be completely cleaned with a toothbrush.

Fissure sealing is a preventive procedure that involves the placement of dental resin or glass ionomer cement in these deep grooves to prevent the accumulation of food and decay-causing bacteria.

Fissure sealants are great in that they require no drilling, are painless, and are less expensive than fillings.

at Woollahra Dental we usually recommend them in younger patients at risk of tooth decay.

Contact us for more information and to find out how we can help you keeping a Great Smile!

Teach me how to brushy... and more

At Woollahra Dental we have been looking for videos and ideas to get children (and even some adults) to brush their teeth. We also have a guide on how to brush.