Disease-free gums can help in reducing risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies have shown a link between gum disease and increased chances of heart disease or a stroke. But the reason behind this association was not known. A recent research has discovered the possible reason link between gum disease and heart disease

Professor Greg Seymour said that a number of theories have been put forward to explain the link between oral infection and heart disease. Chronic infections have been associated with a disease that causes "furring" of the arteries, called atherosclerosis, which is the main cause of heart attacks.

Greg added that one of the proposed theories certain that proteins from bacteria initiate atherosclerosis and help it progress. In this study, researchers wanted to verify this point hence the role of heat shock proteins was studied. Heat shock proteins are produced by bacteria as well as animals and plants. Cells produce these proteins after exposure to different kinds of stress conditions, such as inflammation, toxins, starvation and oxygen and water deprivation. Heat shock proteins are also referred to as stress proteins due to this reason.

Researchers explained that these can work as chaperone molecules also, stabilising other proteins, helping to fold them and transport them across cell membranes. Some also bind to foreign antigens and present them to immune cells. The immune system may not be able to differentiate between those from the body and those from invading pathogens because heat shock proteins are produced by humans as well as bacteria. This can lead the immune system to launch an attack on its own proteins.

Professor Seymour said that when this happens, white blood cells can build up in the tissues of the arteries, causing atherosclerosis.

He added: "We found white blood cells called T cells in the lesions of arteries in patients affected by atherosclerosis. These T cells were able to bind to host heat shock proteins as well as those from bacteria that cause gum disease. This suggests that the similarity between the proteins could be the link between oral infection and atherosclerosis."

This study concluded that the molecular mimicry means that when the immune system reacts to oral infection, it also attacks host proteins, causing arterial disease.

Researchers added that this study will help in highlighting the importance of adult oral health to overall health and wellbeing under various health policies. Health of gums is very important for health of heart. Gums should be disease-free to reduce the risk of heart attacks.