More connections found between heart and dental health

you are here: DentalPlans.com > Dental Health Articles > More connections found between heart and dental health

Dental Care & Health Care Articles

Updated: 9/10/2008 12:00:28 PM

More connections found between heart and dental health

Numerous studies have already linked dental conditions such as gum disease with cardiovascular disease, but the exact relationship is still being explored.

Now, researchers say that they have found evidence that heat shock proteins - created by various bacteria in the body - may play a role in causing atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a condition commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries and is one of the main causes of heart attacks. It occurs when macrophage white blood cells accumulate in the arterial walls.

Greg Seymour from the University of Ontago Dunedin in New Zealand explained that certain molecules found during oral infection were treated in a similar way to other bacteria by the body, causing the immune system to attack its own proteins.

This reaction paved the way for atherosclerosis to develop in the patient.

"This suggests that the similarity between the proteins could be the link between oral infection and atherosclerosis," he commented.

Seymour added that the findings of the research signify a "step towards a more complete understanding of heart disease and improving treatment and preventive therapies."
ADNFCR-1507-ID-18773628-ADNFCR

Additional Articles

Researchers investigate association HIV...
Sedation may be a good option for with...
Survey finds that a person's smile may...
Survey indicates that Americans value ...
Free clinics may be overwhelmed with...
Wisconsin dentists claim patients hold...
New programs in Kansas address the of...
Dental schools opening clinics to care...
Experts: A person's teeth says a lot...
Veterans receive help to improve their...
Chilean mine disaster prompts experts...
Men may be at greater risk to develop...
Experts encourage diabetics to be aware...
Free dental care provided for the...
Experts: People with diabetes need...
Adults in Maine receive free oral care...
Gum disease patients can seek treatment...
Students who are enrolled in dental to...
Events for free dental care service a...
Free dental care provided for adults in...
Dentists urge patients to seek dental...
Dental practices join together to help...
Adults in Michigan receive dental care...
Good dental health is important for a ...
Tooth decay puts strain on ERs
Sugar free gums may help prevent...
New clinic helps West Virginia access...
Study: Poor dental health can lead to...
Smoking leads to dental health experts...
Green tea linked to dental health
Untreated periodontal disease linked to...
Dental clinic for the underprivileged ...
Dental insurance lowers cost of fixing...
New Hampshire health officials seek to...
Lawsuit blames Florida's Medicaid rates...
Medi-Cal cuts shrink number of dental ...
Dental clinic struggling to address...
West Virginia health officials seek to...
Laser surgery could become basic form...
Diet tips to improve dental health

The materials and articles published on DentalPlans.com are for informational purposes only. Although DentalPlans.com strives to be accurate and complete, the information is provided without liability for errors. DentalPlans.com does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text graphics, links, or other items contained on DentalPlans.com.

DentalPlans.com expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in these materials and DentalPlans.com makes no commitment to update the information on DentalPlans.com.

DentalPlans.com expressly disclaims all liability for the use or interpretation by others of information on DentalPlans.com. Decisions based on information contained on DentalPlans.com are the sole responsibility of the visitors, and visitors agree to hold DentalPlans.com and its Affiliates harmless against any claims for damages arising from decisions visitors make on such information.

Nothing on DentalPlans.com constitutes medical advice or other forms of advice. DentalPlans.com assumes no responsibility for material created or published by third parties linked to DentalPlans.com with or without DentalPlans.coms knowledge.