Scientists have found the reason why not cleaning your teeth can cause heart attacks.
Mouth bacteria can get into the blood and cause clots leading to heart attacks, scientists found
A link between poor oral hygiene and increased risk of heart attack has long been suspected. But until now nobody has been able to figure out exactly why not brushing regularly might bring one on. Now a Bristol University dental scientist has discovered that a common bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease can break out into the bloodstream and help blood clots to form.
In turn these can cause heart attacks and strokes, which together cause more than 200,000 deaths in Britain every year. Most of them time Streptococcus bacteria are confined to the mouth, but when someone has bleeding gums they can get into the blood. There the bacteria use a protein on their surface, called PadA, to force blood platelets to bind together to give themselves a protective shield.
Howard Jenkinson, professor of oral microbiology, said: "What we have done is whittled down to a single protein molecule on the surface of bacteria that can activate platelet formation. It is the first time that a mechanism from a single bacterium has been shown to activate platelets and make them spread." Describing the mechanism, he said: "When the platelets clump together they completely encase the bacteria. This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics that might be used to treat infection.
"Unfortunately, as well as helping out the bacteria, platelet clumping can cause small blood clots, growths on the heart valves.or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain." The study provides evidence for yet one more reason to brush one's teeth and - ideally - floss.
"People need to be aware that as well keeping a check on their diet, blood pressure, cholesterol and fitness levels, they also need to maintain good dental hygiene to minimise their risk of heart problems," said the scientist. But the research should also speed up the development of drugs which could prevent potentially deadly blood clots from forming in the first place.
Prof Jenkinson described the discovery of the key protein as a "new tool" on which to test drugs which might stop it from clotting blood. He is working with Dr Steve Kzrrigan of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to see how the protein's platelet-causing function can be blocked. "This could eventually lead to new treatments for cardiovascular disease which is the biggest killer in the developed world," said Prof Jenkinson. He is presenting the research today (MON) at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn conference.
Why not brushing your teeth can kill you - Telegraph
Mouth bacteria can get into the blood and cause clots leading to heart attacks, scientists found
A link between poor oral hygiene and increased risk of heart attack has long been suspected. But until now nobody has been able to figure out exactly why not brushing regularly might bring one on. Now a Bristol University dental scientist has discovered that a common bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease can break out into the bloodstream and help blood clots to form.
In turn these can cause heart attacks and strokes, which together cause more than 200,000 deaths in Britain every year. Most of them time Streptococcus bacteria are confined to the mouth, but when someone has bleeding gums they can get into the blood. There the bacteria use a protein on their surface, called PadA, to force blood platelets to bind together to give themselves a protective shield.
Howard Jenkinson, professor of oral microbiology, said: "What we have done is whittled down to a single protein molecule on the surface of bacteria that can activate platelet formation. It is the first time that a mechanism from a single bacterium has been shown to activate platelets and make them spread." Describing the mechanism, he said: "When the platelets clump together they completely encase the bacteria. This provides a protective cover not only from the immune system, but also from antibiotics that might be used to treat infection.
"Unfortunately, as well as helping out the bacteria, platelet clumping can cause small blood clots, growths on the heart valves.or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart and brain." The study provides evidence for yet one more reason to brush one's teeth and - ideally - floss.
"People need to be aware that as well keeping a check on their diet, blood pressure, cholesterol and fitness levels, they also need to maintain good dental hygiene to minimise their risk of heart problems," said the scientist. But the research should also speed up the development of drugs which could prevent potentially deadly blood clots from forming in the first place.
Prof Jenkinson described the discovery of the key protein as a "new tool" on which to test drugs which might stop it from clotting blood. He is working with Dr Steve Kzrrigan of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to see how the protein's platelet-causing function can be blocked. "This could eventually lead to new treatments for cardiovascular disease which is the biggest killer in the developed world," said Prof Jenkinson. He is presenting the research today (MON) at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn conference.
Why not brushing your teeth can kill you - Telegraph
