For years we've heard how the plaque we allow to develop in our mouths has a habit of traveling to other parts of our bodies and collecting there as well - namely in the arteries and vessels of our hearts and brains. We learned that oral plaque is linked to all sorts of diseases from Alzheimer’s and stroke, to diabetes and heart disease, and that regular dental maintenance can not only protect our teeth, but our vascular health as well. Well, as it turns out, that's not exactly the entire picture.

Why the confusion? Science Is Always Questioning.

Have you ever heard the story of how Dr. Barry Marshall and Dr. Robin Warren discovered that a tiny bacterium - and not spicy food, stress and acid - were the cause of peptic ulcers and gastritis? Their theory, which at first drew ridicule, was only taken seriously when Dr. Marshall decided to ingest a sizable amount of H. Pylori bacterium contained in a petri dish. When he contracted gastritis a mere eight days later, the medical profession paid attention. They also awarded him a Nobel Prize in 2005 for his efforts. Not bad for questioning authority. In fact, questioning everything is at the core of science.

That's why, in 2012, the American Heart Association (AHA) undertook a review of 60 years of research into both gum and heart disease to see if there was indeed a causal relationship between the two. Their conclusion astounded both the medical and dental communities, and in May of that year, the AHA released its findings stating that *at this time* no direct causal relationship could be found. Later, it further clarified its position commenting that: "studies have found an association between the two diseases that cannot be explained by the common risk factors.” In other words, at this time, we just don't know for sure if there is indeed a causal relationship. And that's science. We often just don't know for sure until many years after we start testing, and that is why we're always testing.

What Are The Recommendations Today?

For now, all we can say affirmatively is that people who have gum disease and heart disease have many of the same risk factors. Maybe they smoke, are of a certain age, have diabetes, or share similar dietary habits. The similarities and associations are certainly there, but it’s just too early to say definitively that having gum disease can *cause* heart disease. It may seem a minor distinction, but the devil is in the details, as they say. 

So what's the best course of action? Of course, it’s wise to take care of your teeth. Even if no causal factor is ever found, the evidence is surely there that supports how taking care of your teeth is good for your oral health, the stability of your teeth, your outward appearance, and your pocketbook. Maybe it’s us, but those reasons alone are good enough reasons to support a robust oral health care regime! And, if it turns out that reducing plaque in your mouth does indeed help protect your heart? Well, then you'll find you're way ahead of the game!