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Overview
An August 2006 article in The New York Times  looked at a common question raised by dental patients today: Is there any correlation between the plaque that forms on teeth and plaque in the arteries? In this column, Science in the News offers perspectives on that same question based on the current scientific literature.
The article stated that a correlation between the two forms of plaque is quite possible. It went on to discuss the association between dental disease related to plaque and cardiovascular diseases, including of hardening of the arteries, heart disease and stroke. The article noted that severe periodontal disease is associated with higher rates of stroke in some studies, and that animal studies have shown that periodontal disease can induce hardening of the arteries.
Dental plaque and arterial plaque are distinct in that each accumulates in different environments, and each is composed of different material. Dental plaque is a complex biofilm, comprised of hundreds of bacterial species, that forms in the oral cavity. Arterial plaque is primarily composed of fatty material deposited in the inner wall of arteries. More recently, scientific evidence has suggested that there may be an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases. However, while the evidence has grown over time, a proven cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been established.
To date, the available evidence is insufficient to support any direct linkage between chronic periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases, as noted in a June 2002 JADA supplement (Adobe PDF) , and the same is true of dental plaque and arterial plaque.
A related study in the same JADA supplement (Adobe PDF) reported only a moderate association—but no casual relationship—between periodontal disease and heart disease. At present, several long-term studies are underway to determine causality and to evaluate the effectiveness of periodontal interventions in reducing the incidence of heart disease and cardiovascular events.
Although the correlation between periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases remains to be determined, the available evidence clearly suggests that oral health is integral to general health. Professional decisions involving patient care and dental practice must be based on sound scientific principles and good clinical judgment. Dental care providers are encouraged to stay informed of the relationships between oral and systemic conditions to meet the challenges presented by specific patient needs and increasing public awareness of health care advances.
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Science in the News is a service by the American Dental Association (ADA) to present current information about science topics in the news. The ADA is a professional association of dentists committed to the public's oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement; leading a unified profession through initiatives in advocacy, education, research and the development of standards. As a science-based organization, the ADA's evaluation of the scientific evidence may change as more information becomes available. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Page Posted August 2006
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