No strong evidence

Though the two may seem completely unrelated, some researchers have claimed that gum diseasemay lead to heart disease. But before you worry, new research is showing the link between gum disease and the risk for developing heart disease is far from a "floss or have a heart attack" situation (although it would be a heck of an ad campaign for floss manufacturers).

In fact, researchers from the University of Washington's School of Dentistry, who looked at government data that followed more than 8,000 people for about 20 years, found no strong evidence to indicate that people with gum disease are at higher risk for developing heart disease.

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'One does NOT cause the other'

Think flossing and brushing is helping to fight off heart disease and stroke? Think again.

An expert panel of dentists and cardiologists, writing in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, says there is no evidence that treating or preventing gum disease has any direct effect on heart health.

That's a big turnaround. For the past decade, the medical establishment has been telling people that cardiovascular disease can be caused by poor oral hygiene. Why the change?

"We set out to look at all of the science," study author Peter Lockhart, chair of oral medicine at the Carolinas Medical Center, tells Shots. After reviewing dozens of studies published over the last 20 years, the panel concluded that gum disease and heart disease do occur together - but despite conventional wisdom, one does not cause the other. Studies that appeared to show a link, the panel found, often failed to control for outside factors that contribute to both diseases.

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Oral health = heart health?

Taking care of your teeth isn't a proven way to prevent heart disease. While there appears to be some connection between oral health and heart disease, more research is needed to fully understand it.

Poor oral health has been debated as a possible cause of heart disease for many years. In 2012, experts from the American Heart Association reviewed the available scientific evidence and concluded that poor oral health hasn't been proved to cause heart disease — and that treating existing gum disease hasn't been proved to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Still, many studies have shown a connection between gum disease (periodontitis) and other serious conditions, including heart disease. Research suggests that periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease and that people with chronic gum disease have increased thickness of their neck blood vessels. There is also a strong correlation between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and evidence that people with diabetes benefit from professional teeth cleanings.

Even though oral health isn't a key to heart disease prevention, it's important to take care of your teeth and gums:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Floss daily.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months — or sooner if the bristles become bent.
• Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings.

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Bad gum and heart disease: MYTH

Scientists writing in a respected US journal insisted there was no evidence for a causal link between bad gums and heart and artery problems.

The false message distorted the facts and spread alarm among patients, it was claimed.

A panel of 13 US experts spelled out their views in a scientific statement published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

The scientists reviewed 500 journal articles looking at links between gum and cardiovascular disease.

They concluded that while people with gum disease may be at greater risk of heart or artery disease, the association is probably coincidental.

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