Health
Treating gum disease could reduce risk of heart attacks and strokes, study suggests
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A deep clean at the dentist may benefit more than just your oral health.
In a two-year study of people with periodontitis or severe gum disease, researchers from University College London (UCL) found that those who got intensive treatment — a full-mouth deep cleaning with regular follow-ups — had slower thickening and clogging of a major neck artery and better blood-vessel function than those who only got routine cleanings.
The randomized controlled trial tracked 135 adults at UCL’s Eastman Dental Institute who had periodontitis, which can stem from poor oral hygiene, genetics, smoking or uncontrolled diabetes, according to the research published this month in the European Heart Journal.
COMMON VIRUSES LINKED TO ‘DRAMATIC’ SPIKE IN HEART ATTACK AND STROKE RISK
At 12 and 24 months, participants who received intensive deep cleanings showed less gum inflammation and fewer bacteria entering the bloodstream, and their arteries were healthier than those who got standard scale-and-polish care, which only removes plaque and tartar buildup.
A new study found that deep dental cleanings could benefit heart health. (iStock)
Dr. Marco Orlandi, co-author of the trial, said in a statement that the participants who received the intensive gum disease treatment had a 0.02 millimeter reduction in the thickening of their carotid arteries after two years.
“This is a significant result, as even a 0.01 millimeter reduction corresponds to a 10% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk, suggesting participants reduced their risk by around 10% each year,” Orlandi said.
Doctors track the thickness of the carotid artery wall as an early warning sign for clogged arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. This study didn’t count actual heart events, but the artery changes, along with lower gum inflammation, suggest that improved oral health could help fight cardiovascular disease.
FRUIT-BASED INGREDIENT MAY HELP FIGHT GUM DISEASE NATURALLY, SCIENTISTS DISCOVER
All participants were otherwise healthy and not taking regular medication, helping researchers isolate the effects of gum disease treatment.
Researchers found that participants who received deep gum cleanings showed slower thickening of the carotid artery. (iStock)
“This is among the most robust evidence to date that oral and cardiovascular health are interconnected,” Professor John Deanfield, lead author of the study and director of cardiovascular prevention at UCL, said in a statement. “Addressing periodontitis could become a powerful tool in preventing serious heart and brain events such as heart attacks and strokes.”
Professor Francesco D’Aiuto, another of the study’s co-authors, added that medical and dental professionals should work more closely in recognizing and addressing the cardiovascular implications of gum disease.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Periodontitis affects about 40% of adults worldwide and can cause bleeding, swelling and tenderness of the gums and tooth loss if untreated.
“Your gums are part of your vascular system,” Dr. Catrise Austin, a New York City cosmetic dentist and host of the “Let’s Talk Smiles” podcast, told Fox News Digital. “If they’re inflamed and bleeding, your arteries feel it.”
Experts recommend daily brushing, flossing and routine cleanings to reduce inflammation that can affect more than just your mouth. (iStock)
Austin, who was not involved in the study, said the findings are further proof that doctors and cardiologists should start paying closer attention to their patients’ gum health.
“Asking a simple question like, ‘Do your gums bleed when you brush?’ could help identify early signs of systemic inflammation long before more serious health issues arise,” she said.
For patients, she recommends brushing twice daily, flossing daily, getting regular professional cleanings, quitting smoking and managing conditions like diabetes.
“These steps not only protect your smile, they also lower inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular disease,” Austin said.
The study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Center in collaboration with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, adds to a growing body of research linking gum health to overall well-being.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
Earlier this year, an analysis of more than 500,000 people in the U.K. Biobank found that those with signs of gum disease, such as bleeding or painful gums, were more likely to have multiple chronic conditions, from diabetes to heart disease to depression.
The study measured carotid artery thickness, an early sign of heart disease. (iStock)
Much of the previous evidence was correlated, showing that people with gum disease tend to have higher cardiovascular risk, but it did not prove that treating gum disease reduces heart attacks or strokes.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for comment.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The simple act of noting how fast your heart is beating while you’re at rest may be the key to measuring your overall health.
Resting heart rate is defined by Mayo Clinic as the number of times your heart beats each minute while you’re awake, calm and not moving.
A normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults. A slower resting heart rate means the heart does not have the work as heard to pump blood through the body — something typical of someone who is more fit.
LATEST COVID VACCINE MAY HAVE UNEXPECTED HEALTH BENEFIT, STUDY SUGGESTS
Athletes who are very fit may have a resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute, according to Mayo Clinic.
Your resting heart rate can vary due to a variety of factors, including age, physical activity levels, sleep health, smoking, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress, anxiety, hormones, body type and certain medications.
A normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults, according to medical experts. (iStock)
But a resting heart rate that’s often too high or too low may signal a health issue.
WEEKLY WEIGHTLIFTING SWEET SPOT MAY BE LINKED TO LONGER LIFE, STUDY SAYS
A high resting heart rate, even if it’s slight, is usually a sign that something else may be going on in the body, such as anemia, an infection or a thyroid problem, according to Cleveland Clinic.
A high resting heart rate, even if it’s slight, is usually a sign that something else may be going on in the body. (iStock)
If your heart rate is regularly above 100 beats per minute, this is a sign to talk with your heart care provider.
The same advice applies if you are not a trained athlete and your resting heart rate is frequently below 60 beats per minute.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Talk to your doctor if other symptoms such as fainting, dizziness or shortness of breath occur.
How to measure your heart rate
You can check your own heart rate by tracking your pulse on your wrist or neck. The best time of day to measure resting heart rate is first thing in the morning, says Mayo Clinic.
Place your index and middle fingers inside the wrist below the thumb, to feel the radial artery; or, do so on the side of the neck, to feel the carotid artery.
Place your index and middle fingers on the side of the neck, to feel the carotid artery — and count how many beats per minute. (iStock)
Count the number of times your pulse beats in 15 seconds, then multiply this number by four to calculate beats per minute.
Wearable devices can also detect and track resting heart rate, although this may not always be accurate.
How to lower your heart rate
If your resting heart rate is higher than normal, there are a few ways to work toward lowering it.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Vigorous exercise is “the best way” to lower your resting heart rate and increase the heart’s aerobic capacity and max heart rate, according to Harvard.
For those who don’t exercise regularly, it’s important to work your way up in difficulty when following a new workout routine.
Vigorous exercise is “the best way” to lower your resting heart rate, Harvard Health says. But it’s vital to work your way up carefully. (iStock)
Some medications, such as beta blockers, can also lower heart rate. In the same way, managing stress through holistic methods such as meditation or yoga can also help.
Cleveland Clinic also recommends cutting back on harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol, which can dehydrate you and raise your heart rate.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Adequate sleep can also help bring your heart rate down, in addition to maintaining a healthy weight.
Cardiologist Tamanna Singh, M.D., shared with Cleveland Clinic that lowering your heart rate takes time as various lifestyle changes kick in.
Managing stress through holistic methods such as meditation or yoga can help lower your resting heart rate,
“Just like building your biceps and triceps, it takes time for your heart to become stronger,” the doctor said.
Singh recommended focusing on heart rate patterns rather than dialing in on just the number.
Take note of how your heart rate changes after eating certain foods, when you’re dehydrated or after you’ve begun a new exercise or stress management routine.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“If you notice that your heart rate is consistently over 100, mention it to your doctor, especially if you’ve tried making lifestyle changes and they don’t seem to be working,” she said.
“Your resting heart rate isn’t the be-all, end-all of your health, but it’s definitely a marker that you should pay attention to.”
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The health benefits of morning coffee may go beyond a wake-up call, according to a massive new study linking the beverage to a significantly lower risk of severe liver disease, liver cancer and liver-related death.
Published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the research used data from 354,957 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank.
Researchers tracked individuals who had no history of cirrhosis or liver cancer at the start of the study for an average of 13 years, according to a press release.
ZERO SUGAR, MORE PROBLEMS? STUDY REVEALS SURPRISING GUT HEALTH EFFECTS
Participants who drank one to two cups of coffee daily showed a 20% lower risk of developing cirrhosis and a 31% lower risk of liver-related mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers.
The protective effects became even more noticeable at higher levels of consumption.
Data revealed that heavy coffee drinkers had significantly lower levels of liver fat and liver iron. (iStock)
Individuals who drank five or more cups of coffee per day experienced a 32% reduction in cirrhosis risk, a 42% lower risk of liver-related death and a 47% lower risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer.
While previous studies have hinted at coffee’s positive relationship with liver health, this study provides biological evidence to support the statistical trends, the researchers said.
CAN ALKALINE WATER ACTUALLY IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH? EXPERTS SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION
To better understand why coffee may protect the liver, the researchers conducted additional analyses using imaging data from a subgroup of nearly 29,000 participants and blood samples from approximately 50,000 individuals.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
The data showed that heavy coffee drinkers had significantly lower levels of liver fat and liver iron, as well as lower odds of developing fibroinflammation, which is the scarring and inflammation that often precedes permanent liver damage.
Participants who drank one to two cups of coffee daily showed a 20% lower risk of developing cirrhosis. (iStock)
The blood analysis linked coffee consumption with lower levels of some proteins known to trigger inflammation and tissue scarring, along with higher levels of proteins essential for healthy liver function.
Notably, the study found that the liver-protective benefits were similar for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, suggesting that these benefits are driven by naturally occurring compounds not related to caffeine.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
While the benefits persisted regardless of whether the coffee was consumed black or with sweeteners, the researchers observed that adding sugar or artificial sweeteners slightly weakened the beneficial effects, particularly concerning markers of liver inflammation.
Researchers observed that adding sugar or artificial sweeteners slightly weakened the positive effects. (iStock)
While these findings suggest that coffee consumption is an accessible dietary habit for supporting liver health, the authors noted that it should serve as a complement rather than a replacement for standard preventative health practices.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Because the research relied on self-reported dietary questionnaires from the UK Biobank, the findings could be susceptible to changes in participants’ coffee-drinking habits over the 13-year follow-up period.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Additionally, as an observational study, it can only establish a strong correlation and cannot prove cause and effect, as other factors may influence the outcomes.
-
Tennessee4 minutes agoWhere Tennessee Baseball Players, Commits Land In Final MLB Mock Drafts, Rankings | Rocky Top Insider
-
Texas11 minutes agoTexas Rangers investigating City of Trinidad after water issues, controversial arrests, firings
-
Utah14 minutes agoPresident Trump expected to reduce the size of Utah monuments
-
Vermont19 minutes agoVermont marks fourth straight year of July flooding as recovery drags on
-
Virginia26 minutes agoVance leasing part of multimillion-dollar Virginia farm as an additional residence | CNN Politics
-
Washington29 minutes agoWashington State Democratic Party draws criticism over reparations, antisemitism language
-
Wisconsin35 minutes agoWhat’s new to eat and drink at the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair?
-
West Virginia41 minutes agoWest Virginia to launch school clothing allowance program
