Question

Kathryn R. is a well-rounded 57 year old Caucasian woman. She is 5 ft 5 in tall and weights 190 lbs. She reports a history of mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation. She is allergic to penicillin and tetanus toxoid. Her medications include Inderal, Lasix, lisinopril, nifedipine, potassium, and an aspirin a day. Her blood pressure in 150/96 mm Hg, and her pulse rate is 100 bpm. She comes to your clinic wanting her teeth "cleaned" because she reports that she is afraid of dentists and has not seen one in 10 years. Because of her fear, your instructor suggests that periodontal debridement be performed under local anesthesia. On seating Kathryn in your chair, you notice that her ankles are quite swollen. Her gingival tissue is enlarged and bleeds readily on probing. She has moderate horizontal bone loss and generalized pocketing of 6-8mm. Her oral hygiene is fair, but she says she cannot get the floss "all the way back."

Kathryn has been diagnosed with moderated periodontitis. Which is the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular (CV) disease?
A. Periodontal disease can cause CV disease
B. No relationship has been found between periodontal disease and CV disease
C. There is a possible relationship between periodontal disease and CV disease
D. Treatment of periodontal disease decreases the incidence of CV disease

Answer 1

Periodontal disease is linked with chronic inflammation which can influence cardiovascular disease, suggesting a possible relationship between the two. However, a causal link has not been conclusively established, and while treating periodontal disease can improve oral and potentially systemic health, it has not been proved to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular (CV) disease. Periodontal disease includes conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis, which are inflammatory diseases of the structures around the teeth. It is known that chronic inflammation, including that from periodontal disease, can play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis (artery hardening) that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Some studies have found an association between periodontal disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, suggesting that the systemic inflammation related to dental problems could contribute to the inflammation in the cardiovascular system. However this relationship is complex and multifactorial, and the current scientific consensus is that while there seems to be an association there is not enough evidence to claim a causal link. Furthermore while treatment of periodontal disease can improve oral health and potentially reduce systemic inflammation, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that it will decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Considering the evidence, the most accurate answer to the question would be C. There is a possible relationship between periodontal disease and CV disease.