STATINS CAN REDUCE GUM INFLAMMATION TOO!

Much has been made of late about the connection between heart disease and gum disease.

Bacteria responsible for gum disease is also found in arterial inflammatory disease such as atherosclerosis (heart disease). It is the inflammatory response that is a connecting factor as pathogens found in gum disease are also to be found in the inflammation of the arteries which restricts blood flow. This in turn can produce blockages of important blood vessels feeding the heart, lungs and brain. in the gingival tissue (gums), inflammation restricts blood flow and weakens the tissue, causing pockets to appear between the gum and the tooth. These in turn cause gum & bone recession leading to tooth loss.

However, it seems that tackling arterial inflammation also significantly reduces inflammation of the gums in as little as four weeks.

A team of researchers led by Ahmed Takawol at Massachusetts General Hospital studied low and high dose statin users given atorvastatin over a 12 week period. In the high dose group, not only was there a dramatic reduction in heart disease but an improvement in the level of gum disease present in the patients.

Here is another piece of evidence showing how the body works as a whole and that disease in one place can have knock on effects elsewhere.