Brush your teeth or risk heart disease
Scientists have discovered why poor oral hygiene can increase your risk of heart attack
It's already known that people with poor oral hygiene have a greater risk of heart disease, but not how this happens.
“Poor dental hygiene can lead to bleeding gums, providing bacteria with an escape route into the bloodstream, where they can initiate blood clots leading to heart disease,” said Professor Howard Jenkinson at the University of Bristol, who led the study.
Streptococcus bacteria commonly live in the mouth, and are responsible for causing tooth plaque and gum disease.
But once let loose in the bloodstream, the bacteria use a protein on their surface, called PadA, to force platelets in the blood to bind together and form clots, said the researchers.
“When the platelets clump together they completely encase the bacteria. This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics that might be used to treat infection," Professor Jenkinson said.
"Unfortunately, as well as helping out the bacteria, platelet clumping can cause small blood clots, growths on the heart valves (endocarditis) or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain.”
The professor the research highlights the importance of good oral hygiene.
“People need to be aware that as well as keeping a check on their diet, blood pressure, cholesterol and fitness levels, they also need to maintain good dental hygiene to minimise their risk of heart problems.”
The University of Bristol team are also working with scientists from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland on new treatments to try to prevent the bacterial protein triggering blood clot formation.
"This could eventually lead to new treatments for cardiovascular disease which is the biggest killer in the developed world,” said Professor Jenkinson.
