A Healthy Mouth May Equal A Healthy Heart

30 seconds

What’s good for your mouth might also be good for your heart. That’s according to a recent investigation by an international team of researchers, who reviewed data from more than 6,000 participants and determined that common oral infections, such as periodontitis and dental lesions, were associated with a higher likelihood of cardiometabolic diseases. Their analysis focused on the relationship between blood levels of metabolites that are linked to a higher risk of chronic disease and the volunteers’ oral health. For example, cavities were associated with 30 metabolites that are linked with increased risks of chronic disease. Bleeding while being probed during a dental exam was associated with eight of these metabolites. Many of these metabolic markers are considered indicators of inflammation and were also associated with unhealthy lipid (blood fat) profiles. While the exact mechanisms aren’t entirely clear, poor oral health likely contributes to systemic inflammation. The investigation underscores the potential impact of oral infections on overall health and stresses the importance of early prevention and treatment to reduce these risks.

Source
journals.sagepub/doi/10.1177/00220345231203562

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