Periodontal Disease and Heart-related Risks

A large Korean study that involved more than 7,000 adults unveiled that periodontal disease is linked with a metabolic syndrome.  These conditions put people at risk for diabetes, heart disease as well as other health problems.

The Korean researchers used information from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

People are diagnosed with a metabolic syndrome if they have three or more of the following:

• "High blood pressure, above 130/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg.)
• A waist size of more than 40 inches for men, or 35 inches for women.
• High blood sugar - above 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) after fasting.
• Low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, below 40 mg/dl for men, or 50 mg/dl for women.
• Triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dl"

The study showed that people with a metabolic syndrome had a 55% higher risk of periodontal disease than people without it.  Keep in mind the fact that the link was stronger in people who are more that 40 years old.  It was also unveiled that women had a stronger link than men, and smokers more so than nonsmokers.

Source: The Journal of Clinical Periodontology