A groundbreaking study suggests that a routine mouth rinse during an annual dentist check-up has the potential to identify individuals at early risk of heart disease. Researchers in Canada conducted a study involving 28 participants aged 18 to 30, who rinsed their mouths with a saline solution. The saliva samples collected were analyzed for potential indicators of heart disease.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Oral Health, found a correlation between a high white blood cell count in saliva and poor flow-mediated dilation, a phenomenon that occurs when arteries widen as blood flows through them. Impaired flow-mediated dilation is an early indication of poor arterial health, which may ultimately lead to heart disease. The presence of white blood cells in saliva signifies gum inflammation, which has been previously linked to heart problems. The researchers also noted that mouth-derived inflammation could enter the bloodstream through the gums, impacting the health of the arteries.
Dr. Michael Glogauer, co-author of the study from the University of Toronto, emphasized the potential of using the mouth rinse technique as a convenient tool for measuring oral inflammation during regular check-ups at doctors’ offices or dentists. Ker-Yung Hong, the first author of the study from the University of Western Ontario, highlighted the emerging connections between oral health and cardiovascular disease risk. The findings suggest that an early holistic approach, including oral health management, could be implemented for individuals at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, even at a young age.
The researchers emphasized the importance of optimal oral hygiene and regular dental visits, considering the evidence implicating oral health in heart disease risk.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, often goes unnoticed but is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. In the UK, more than one in four adults have high blood pressure, with many unaware of their condition. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic pressure, which represents the force at which the heart pumps blood, and diastolic pressure, which indicates the resistance to blood flow in blood vessels. High blood pressure is typically defined as 140/90mmHg or higher, while ideal blood pressure falls between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower.
It is essential to have your blood pressure checked to determine if it is high, as untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, aortic aneurysms, kidney disease, and vascular dementia.
Source: NHS
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