Dr. Ailen N. Reyes Dental Clinic

01/05/2026

04/04/2026

A clinical trial published in the European Heart Journal found that treating severe gum disease may do more than protect your teeth—it may help slow changes in blood vessels linked to heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers followed patients for 2 years and observed that intensive gum treatment reduced inflammation, limited bacteria entering the bloodstream, and slowed the thickening of the carotid arteries—the major vessels supplying blood to the brain. Even small reductions in this thickness are associated with meaningful improvements in cardiovascular risk.

This doesn’t mean dental treatment replaces heart care. But it highlights something critical:
your oral health is closely connected to your overall health.
Untreated gum disease may quietly contribute to long-term damage beyond the mouth.

This was a randomized clinical trial—one of the strongest forms of medical evidence.

📄 Source: Orlandi M, Masi S, Lucenteforte E, et al. Periodontitis treatment and progression of carotid intima–media thickness: a randomized trial. European Heart Journal. 2025.