Scientists think they have found a way to detect the earliest warning signs of cardiovascular disease with just a simple mouth rinse. Here’s how…

Could a mere saliva sample predict early indicators of heart disease? Recent discoveries by scientists point towards this possibility. They’ve drawn connections between gum inflammation and cardiovascular disease.

Saliva test for cardiovascular risk

By analyzing a basic mouth rinse for white blood cell levels – a sign of gum inflammation – the research team sought to link these levels to potential early warnings for heart disease in healthy adults.

Their findings revealed that high white blood cell levels were associated with compromised arterial function.

Dr. Trevor King from Mount Royal University, the leading author of this study, which appeared in Frontiers in Oral Health, remarked, “Even in young healthy adults, low levels of oral inflammatory load may have an impact on cardiovascular health — one of the leading causes of death in North America.”

Previously, gum infections, like periodontitis, have been connected to heart disease. This is believed to be because inflammation from the gums can seep into the bloodstream and harm our veins and arteries. King and his team, aiming to get a clearer understanding, focused on young adults without any evident gum diseases to decipher if even low levels of oral inflammation have any bearing on heart health.

Ker-Yung Hong, the first author of this study and currently a dentistry student at the University of Western Ontario, noted, “We are starting to see more relationships between oral health and risk of cardiovascular disease.

“If we are seeing that oral health may have an impact on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease even in young healthy individuals, this holistic approach can be implemented earlier on.”

The research team selected pulse-wave velocity and flow-mediated dilation – both direct measures of artery health – as their prime cardiovascular risk indicators. Arteries that are rigid and underperforming elevate one’s chances of developing heart disease.

For their study, 28 young non-smokers, with no prior history of gum disease or factors influencing heart risks, were enrolled. Their oral rinses with saline after preliminary water rinsing were analyzed post a designated fasting period. Following that, they underwent various cardiovascular tests at the lab.

Dr. Michael Glogauer from the University of Toronto, another collaborator, believes, “The mouth rinse test could be used at your annual checkup at the family doctors or the dentist.

“It is easy to implement as an oral inflammation measuring tool in any clinic.”

Early warning signs from saliva for heart risks

The study highlighted that elevated white blood cells in saliva were notably linked to reduced arterial function, hinting at increased cardiovascular disease risks. However, no correlation was found with arterial stiffness, implying no long-term arterial damage was evident yet.

Researchers theorized that mouth-related inflammation impacting the vascular system could hamper arteries’ nitric oxide production, essential for blood flow adaptation. Elevated white blood cell levels might intensify vascular irregularities; such levels in the study participants are typically not deemed of clinical concern.

In light of these findings, Dr. King stressed the importance of consistent oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. He added, “Optimal oral hygiene is always recommended in addition to regular visits to the dentist, especially in light of this evidence.

“But this study was a pilot study. We are hoping to increase the study population and explore those results. We are also hoping to include more individuals with gingivitis and more advanced periodontitis to more deeply understand the impact of different levels of gingival inflammation on cardiovascular measures.”

Source: 10.3389/froh.2023.1233881

Image Credit: Getty