"The most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque can cause blood
clots that induce heart attacks whey they escape into the bloodstream,
researchers reported.Mark Hertzberg of the University of Minnesota said the findings are the
first to link bacteria to the formation of potentially fatal blood
clots.
Previous studies had
found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people
with periodontal disease, but scientist didn't know why.
"Now we show a potential biological reason". Herzberg told the 150th
annual meeting of American Association for the Advancement of Science.
In lab tests, Herzberg and colleagues injected bacteria from dental
plaque into the bloodstream of rabbits. The bacteria caused blood clots
to form within minutes. Rabbits are a proven model for testing
hypotheses about human heart disease and heart attacks.
Chronic inflammation of the gums due to plaque also could be involved in
the inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels that is known to
lead to the build-up of plaque in the arteries, Herzberg said.
Additional studies
presented at the meeting show that bacteria in plaque also are linked
to:
-
A potentially fatal
disease called infective endocarditis in which the sac around the heart
becomes inflamed.
-
Lung infections in
people with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease.
-
A weakened immune
system that can slow wound healing and diminish a person's response to
vaccines against hepatitis B and influenza.
-
A higher risk of
giving birth to premature, low-birth weight infants.
Reducing risk of diseases linked to dental bacteria is a
common lesson preached by dentists: Have the teeth cleaned regularly and
floss daily.
If necessary, have bone implants to replace dental bone lost from
periodontal disease, says researcher, Frank Scannapieco, State
University of New York, Buffalo.
Bacteria reside in pockets caused by bone loss where the
teeth are attached."
