Regular dental check-ups aid heart health

This, in a nutshell, is what dental and heart experts agreed today at a joint workshop in Madrid. Representatives from the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and the World Heart Federation (WHF) reviewed the evidence linking cardiovascular diseases and gum disease (periodontitis) to prepare joint recommendations for health professionals and patients.

'Both periodontitis and cardiovascular disease affect many people worldwide. Determining the importance of periodontal disease prevention and therapy as a means to reduce cardiovascular risk can have significant public health and economic implications,' said Prof Mariano Sanz, EFP Chair of the event.

Prof Pablo Perel, WHF senior science adviser, said: 'More awareness is needed of the link between oral health and cardiovascular disease. The Perio & Cardio workshop has provided evidence-based recommendations in relation to cardiovascular health and periodontology. Since cardiovascular disease is the first cause of death in the world, reducing risk factors that contribute to heart disease is of utmost importance'