In a study appearing in the June 2017 American Journal of Medicine, 61 healthy subjects ages 19 to 44 were randomly given plaque-identifying or non-plaque – identifying toothpaste for 60 days.

The researchers hypothesized that the plaque-reducing toothpaste would get rid of dental plaque and inflammation.

The authors found that plaque-identifying toothpaste, when compared to the placebo toothpaste, resulted in less plaque and lower levels of hs-CRP, which is associated with increased risk of heart disease and other inflammatory disorders.

The study concluded, “The reduction in inflammation supports the hypothesis of a reduction in risks of cardiovascular disease.”

The accumulation of dental plaque is a major risk factor for periodontal and tooth diseases. Excess plaque leads to bacterial colonization of the gums and can cause bacterial diseases in the body.

I have absolutely no doubt that poor dental health can lead to and/ or worsen many diseases, including heart disease.

It’s impossible to treat a patient suffering from a severe chronic illness if they have severe dental decay.