Intensive treatment of Periodontitis (gum disease) directly improves the health of blood vessels, as revealed by the first clinical trial (associating treatment of gum disease to improved functions of the heart arteries) reported in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

While previous studies have already linked gum disease to heart disease, this new finding is potentially relevant to the prevention of heart attacks and stroke.

According to Dr Francesco D'Aiuto, project leader and therapist, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, explained the method behind the research:

"Middle-aged subjects with severe periodontitis, but no evidence of cardiovascular disease, were randomly allocated to dental treatments of two levels of intensity. After six months, those who received the more intensive periodontitis treatment, which resulted in a marked improvement in their gum disease, also demonstrated a significant restoration of blood vessel function.

Further studies, however, need to be conducted to confirm if treatment of severe periodontitis can lead to prevention of atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attacks.

Find more details from the full report.

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