Invasive dental procedures may increase risk of strokes and heart attacks
A research study has found that invasive dental procedures may increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
The study, which has recently been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, concludes that the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases after invasive treatment for gum disease; however, the risk is short-term and experts say it is still preferable to treat gum disease, rather than leave it untreated.
Study co-author, Liam Smeeth, a professor of clinical epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that the results of the study should not be downplayed because the risk of cardiovascular problems did increase after invasive treatment; however, he also stressed that it was important to realise that the risk was only slightly higher than usual and lasted only for a short period of time.
The authors of the study concluded that the research had discovered a slight increase in the risk of cardiovascular problems, including strokes and heart attacks, after invasive treatment for gum disease; however, they were keen to stress that it was very important for patients to seek treatment for gum disease and not be deterred by the findings of the study.
Numerous studies have linked gum disease with an increased risk of serious health conditions, including strokes, heart disease and diabetes in the past and research in this area in ongoing.
Join this Discussion
Its really surprising to hear such comments and report.To me its a bit unclear as the results are based upon certain individuals and there might be other causes too for the same result.Except cancer (n few other) related disease most doesn’t cause much difference.
One reason to support of the above to me can be such that, after any operation it might be possible that some of the colonizing Bacteria might enter the blood stream to finally reach the heart and colonize there and this might cause different problems..the toxin produce by these bacterias (or any other organisms )can alter the pH of the blood to some extent ,and to counteract with this the heart might be facing some stressful state by the release of some hormone like products.These products and the toxins might be the cause for the mild strokes..which the body later counteracts later.
but as a dentist to me if precaution can be taken before any surgery these conditions are minimized and only in cases where the antibiotics are not acting for the patients might be a problem..
But now i am very eager to know the real report ..lets see ..
thank you.