🦷 Mondays with Mark: Oral health and heart health

In today’s newsletter, we’re diving into a fascinating intersection of oral health and heart health. 👉 If you’re short on time today, scroll down to the bottom where I’m sharing key takeaways for both patients and functional dentists. ⬇️

A recent study sheds light on how controlling periodontitis—a severe form of gum disease—could impact heart conditions, specifically atrial fibrillation (AF). AF, characterized by irregular heart rhythms, poses significant health risks, including stroke and heart failure. Periodontitis, a common infectious and inflammatory disease, reportedly correlates with several systemic diseases, but has never been recognized as a modifiable risk factor for AF—that is, until this new study.

This study is groundbreaking because it reveals a previously unrecognized link between gum disease (periodontitis) and a common heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF).

Here’s why you should care:

1. 🫀New Understanding of Heart Health: This study challenges conventional wisdom by suggesting that gum disease may be a modifiable risk factor for AF. This means that addressing gum disease could potentially improve the outcome of AF treatment, leading to better heart health.
2. 💥Simple Intervention, Significant Impact: The study found that undergoing periodontal treatment during a specific period (known as the blanking period) following AF ablation was associated with fewer AF recurrences. This suggests that a relatively simple intervention, such as treating gum disease, could have a profound impact on heart rhythm stability.
3. 📉Personalized Risk Assessment: The use of a quantitative index called periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) allowed researchers to identify patients at higher risk of AF recurrence based on their gum health. This personalized risk assessment approach could help healthcare providers tailor treatment strategies for individuals undergoing AF ablation.
4. 🌳Holistic Approach to Health: By recognizing the connection between gum disease and AF, this study underscores the importance of taking a holistic approach to health. Addressing oral health issues, such as gum disease, may not only benefit your teeth and gums but also your heart health.
5. 🔍Future Directions in Heart Disease Prevention: This study opens up new avenues for research and clinical practice in heart disease prevention. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential role of gum disease treatment in improving cardiovascular outcomes.

In summary, understanding the link between gum disease and AF is crucial for everyone, as it highlights the importance of oral health in maintaining heart health. Taking care of your gums could be a simple yet impactful way to support your overall well-being.

👩🏻‍⚕️ As a functional dentist, these are the key takeaways I think impact our day-to-day clinical work:

1. 🦷Periodontitis as a Modifiable Risk Factor: The study underscores the significance of periodontitis as a modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). This highlights the potential role of gum disease treatment in improving cardiovascular health outcomes.
2. 🫀Potential Impact on AF Recurrence: Patients with AF who underwent catheter ablation followed by periodontitis treatment showed a reduced likelihood of abnormal heart rhythms recurring. This suggests that addressing gum disease could have a positive impact on reducing AF recurrence rates post-treatment.
3. 🪥Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA) Measurement: The use of periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) measurement to assess gum disease severity and its correlation with AF recurrence offers valuable insights. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating periodontal health comprehensively in AF patients undergoing treatment.
4. 🔬Need for Further Research: While the study’s findings are promising, the authors acknowledge its limitations and advocate for further research, including multicenter randomized studies, to validate these results conclusively. This underscores the ongoing need for robust evidence to support the role of gum disease treatment in improving cardiovascular outcomes.
5. 🏥Potential Clinical Implications: The study suggests that incorporating periodontal examination and gum disease treatment into the care protocol for AF ablation candidates could be beneficial. As a functional dentist, this underscores the importance of addressing oral health as part of a holistic approach to cardiovascular care.

As a functional dentist, you are already helping your patients by recognizing the early signs of sleep disordered breathing, which as we know, can lead to AF. This is just one more connection that you can make for your patients.

🦷 As a patient, here are the key takeaways from this study:

1. 🫀If you have heart conditions that run in the family: Maintaining good oral hygiene could help reduce heart-related risks.
2. 🪥If you’re concerned about your heart health: Taking care of your gums may improve heart health outcomes. Get your teeth cleaned no less than every six months, and ask your hygienist about your pocket depth—monitor if your pocket depth is staying the same or worsening (unfortunately, there is no way to reverse gum recession, only arrest it, so even if you’re a young person in your twenties, start now!)
3. 🩸If your gums bleed from time to time: Comprehensive evaluation of gum health is important for heart condition management.
4. 🏃🏼‍♀️If you want to prioritize your overall wellness: Practicing good oral hygiene habits is crucial for promoting heart health.

As always, I encourage you to stay informed and proactive about your health, whether it’s through regular dental check-ups or discussions with your healthcare provider about potential risk factors for heart disease.

Until next time,
Dr. Mark Burhenne

P.S. Have you checked out my CRP letter yet? It’s a must if you’re working on gum disease or any kind of heart condition. 🫀 It’s completely free, and available to all, on my website. Share it widely.