Dental Plaque More Dangerous To Blacks Than Whites?

'
Body's Immune System Response To Dental Plaque Varies By Gender & Race
A recent study done by the Indiana University School of Dentistry suggests that dental plaque accumulation may be more dangerous to blacks, especially black men, than to whites because it may make them more susceptible heart attacks by raising their white cell counts.

Physicians have known for about a quarter of a century that one of the principal risk factors for a heart attack is an elevated white blood cell count. "While we did not observe higher white blood cell counts as the result of dental plaque accumulation, the increased activity of white blood cells, which we did find, may also carry a higher risk for heart disease," said Michael Kowolik, B.D.S., Ph.D., professor of periodontics and associate dean for graduate education at the IU School of Dentistry on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

The researchers, led by Dr. Kowolik, studied 128 black and white men and women and found that dental plaque accumulation did not result in a change in total white blood count. However, in black males the researchers noted a significant increase in the activity of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell and an essential part of the immune system.

Can Failing To Attack Dental Plaque Increase Your Risk Of Heart Damage?
Unlike most other studies that attempt to understand the link between oral inflammatory disease and heart disease risk, these study participants did not have periodontal disease. They were healthy individuals who by the study design were asked to neglect oral hygiene.

"We are talking about healthy people who simply neglect oral hygiene and if they were male and black, we found a response from their white blood cells, or neutrophils, that might be a cause for concern," added Dr. Kowolik.