Many people take statin drugs to lower their cholesterol and new research has shown that the drugs also reduce the inflammation associated with gum disease. Gum disease affects about half of the US adult population and causes chronic inflammation.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, adds to the links previously found between heart health and gum disease. The study suggests that actions taken to treat gum disease may also reduce inflammation in the arteries and vice versa.

Dr. Ahmed Tawkol, co-author of the study, said “Periodontitis (gum disease) and atherosclerosis are both primarily driven by inflammation. These inflammatory conditions tend to co-exist within individuals and their biologies may be intertwined.”

The study was a randomized trial that had patients with heart disease or a high risk of heart disease take either an 80 mg statin or a 10 mg statin daily for 12 weeks. Patients showed a significant reduction in gum inflammation after as few as four weeks on the higher dose statin. “Statins have beneficial effect beyond their lipid lowering properties,” said Dr. Tawakol. “Physicians should take this into consideration when discussing treatment options with their patients.”

Statin drugs are useful but, like any drug, come with side effects. Talk to your physician about all of your health conditions, including gum disease and take appropriate steps to treat your gum disease. Healthy gums are linked to better overall health.

Please contact Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994 today to find out more about your options for preventing or treating gum disease.

Can brushing and flossing regularly help you with the battle for weight loss? Surprisingly, a clean mouth may help shed a few pounds and here’s why:

  1. When you brush and floss regularly, you’ll cut down significantly on the amount of bacteria living in your mouth. Excessive oral bacteria leads to gum disease which causes inflammation. This body wide inflammatory response has been linked to stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and even death. Any of these health complications can make it more difficult for you to work out and lose weight. If you don’t have poor dental hygiene and thus have a decreased risk for these health complications, you’ll have more endurance and be able to work out more often in order to lose weight.
  2. Part of maintaining good oral health is keeping away from sugary snacks and drinks – fewer calories taken in, healthier teeth – and maybe even a few pounds lost.
  3. Brushing after meals helps you feel full. Really, it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full, but usually we just keep eating. Get up after that meal, brush your teeth, and give your brain a chance to catch up with your stomach.

Any weight loss plan involves watching your diet and increasing your activity levels. Brushing and flossing alone won’t win the battle of the bulge but they can be one more tool in your weight loss toolbox.

Contact Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your next dental hygiene visit.