You may have heard about the link between your oral health and heart problems. Scientists have now discovered something new about this: a large amount of white blood cells in the saliva of young people appears to be one of the first warning signs of cardiovascular disease.
Chronic gingivitis therefore appears to be detrimental not only to the health of the oral cavity, but also to the rest of the body. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and its more harmful brother periodontitis, which also affects underlying tooth and bone tissue, is a serious oral problem that requires a visit to the dentist. But new research shows that dangerous complications can also arise in the rest of the body due to the high numbers of leukocytes – white blood cells – in the saliva, some of which leak into the blood vessels. The heavier the mouth infection, the greater the risk of cardiovascular problems. This is the case even with young, seemingly perfectly healthy people.
White blood cells in the saliva
This raises the question of whether it is also the case that we can detect the first signs of heart problems with a simple saliva test. American scientists have succeeded. They tested the amount of white blood cells in the saliva of healthy subjects as an indicator of gingivitis. From their study showed that a high leukocyte level is linked to arteriosclerosis. “Even in healthy young adults, low levels of inflammation can impact cardiovascular health, which is one of the leading causes of death in North America,” said lead researcher Trevor King.
Leaking leukocytes
Periodontitis is relatively common and the link with cardiovascular disease has often been made in scientific research. It strongly appears that inflammatory cells enter the bloodstream through the gums and thus affect the vascular system. King and his colleagues have now investigated whether there is a link between their heart health and a certain level of leukocytes in their saliva in healthy young people without proven periodontitis.
Holistic approach
“We are finding more and more evidence for the relationship between oral health and the risk of cardiovascular disease,” says researcher Ker-Yung Hong from Western Ontario, Canada. “If we observe this link even in young, healthy people, then it is important to implement a holistic approach early on.” The team measured the stiffness of the arteries to map out the risk of cardiovascular disease. This measures the vascular health in a direct way. Stiff and poorly functioning arteries and arteries increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Annual rinsing at the dentist
The researchers asked 28 non-smoking 18 to 30-year-olds, with no health problems or gum problems, to fast for six hours – drinking water was allowed – and then come to the lab. There they rinsed their mouths with water, after which they rinsed with a physiological saline solution and spit the contents into a container. They also performed an electrocardiogram, measured their blood pressure, and examined the stiffness of their arteries. “The mouthwash test could be done as an annual check-up with the doctor or dentist,” explains researcher Michael Glogauer from Toronto. “It is quite easy to perform a mouth infection test in any clinic.”
Less nitric oxide
How is it possible that there is a connection between the white blood cells in the saliva and possible heart problems? The idea is that inflammatory substances leak from the mouth into the vasculature, reducing nitric oxide (NO) production. NO regulates changes in blood circulation. The more white blood cells, the more negative impact on the vessels.
“Good oral hygiene is something that is always recommended along with regular visits to the dentist. These recommendations are further confirmed by our research,” says King. “But it was a pilot study. We hope to study a larger group of people in the near future and build on current research. We also want to test people with gingivitis and more severe periodontitis in order to be able to say more about the impact of different degrees of gingivitis on the health of the cardiovascular system.”
2023-08-21 16:02:30
#Simply #rinsing #mouth #detect #heart #complaints #earlier
