Periodontitis May Help Lower BP Among Chinese Patients

Treatment for gum disease, or periodontitis, significantly lowered blood pressure among Chinese patients at risk for developing high blood pressure.

Periodontitis, inflammation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, is one of the most common human diseases. Periodontitis can significantly lower blood pressure among Chinese patients at risk for developing high blood pressure.

This is according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2017, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.

New Dental Imaging Method Uses Squid Ink to Fish for Gum Disease
New dental imaging method to examine a patient's gums that is non-invasive, more comprehensive and more accurate than the state of the art.

‘Intensive periodontal intervention alone can reduce blood pressure levels, inhibit inflammation and improve endothelial function.’

This small study compared blood pressure levels after standard and intensive treatment for gum disease. The standard treatment included basic oral hygiene instructions and teeth cleaning with plaque removal above the gum line. The intensive treatment included the standard treatment along with cleaning down to the roots with local anesthesia, antibiotic treatment and dental extractions, if necessary.

Researchers found:

One month after treatment, systolic blood pressure was nearly 3 points lower in participants receiving intensive treatment, but no significant difference was observed in diastolic blood pressure.

Gum Disease Bacteria Interfere With Conception in Women
Women who had gingivalis bacteria, which causes periodontal disease and serum antibody levels had a 3-fold hazard of not becoming pregnant.

Three months after treatment, systolic blood pressure was nearly 8 points lower and diastolic pressure was nearly 4 points lower in patients receiving intensive treatment.

Six months after treatment, systolic blood pressure was nearly 13 points and diastolic blood pressure was almost 10 points lower in patients receiving intensive treatment.

Advertisements

Frequent Use of Recreational Cannabis Increases Risk of Gum Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is an inflammatory reaction to a bacterial infection and is associated with a number of non-oral health issues.

"The present study demonstrates for the first time that intensive periodontal intervention alone can reduce blood pressure levels, inhibit inflammation and improve endothelial function," said study lead author Jun Tao, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the department of Hypertension and Vascular Disease and director of the Institute of Geriatrics Research at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.

Study participants included 107 Chinese women and men age 18 years and over with prehypertension and moderate to severe gum disease. Through random assignment, half of the participants received standard treatment and half received intensive treatment for gum disease.