AAPD responds to AHA statement

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) said on May 11, 2012, it agreed with the conclusions of the literature review the American Heart Association published online in the journal Circulation on April 18, 2012. The Circulation authors found strong proof for a link between gum disease and heart disease.

The AAPD said the study confirmed earlier reports that people with periodontal disease have a greater chance of having heart disease. The link between gum disease and heart disease exists separately from other risk factors such cigarette smoking, diabetes, or obesity.

The AAPD also agreed that more studies are needed to show if periodontal disease directly causes heart attacks and strokes.

“Based on today’s research findings,” AAPHD President Dr. Nicholas Mosca says,” AAPHD supports preventing and treating gum disease to better oral health for everybody, including people with heart disease. Having a healthy
mouth is part of having a healthy body.”