Chills, Fever, Heart Attack

Don't let flu season be heart attack season. Studies are showing that if you get the flu and you have periodontal disease, the additional inflammation can cause even more harm to your body.

First, studies are linking periodontal disease (perio), a chronic bacterial inflammation, to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pancreatic cancer and pneumonia.


According to the American Academy of Periodontology, perio bacteria enter your bloodstream and travel to your heart. They can also be inhaled into the lungs (within one minute, according to research). The bacteria attach to plaque clumps that accumulate on your artery walls. Some studies suggest that there is a correlation between perio bacteria and the protein that creates blood clots. When a clot dislodges, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Second, the flu is also associated with inflammation. Flu makes your heart race. Your heart works harder when it strains to obtain enough oxygen, which can dislodge plaque clumps.

If you have perio and the flu, the combined effects from both inflammations put tremendous stress on your body.


We can't predict if you will get the flu, but we can keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you have perio, it is critical that we get it under control as quickly as possible. We use a special cleaning technique that can include medications to control the perio inflammation.

Unfortunately, once you have perio, you will always have it. There is no cure; we can only treat and manage it.

Home oral care is important when you have perio. Brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice each day and floss once daily. Follow up with regular hygiene exams. If you have perio, we might need to schedule more frequent therapy appointments.

Healthy teeth and gums do your body good.


Houston dentist
Minh Nguyen, D.D.S.