Annual dental check-ups could soon double up as a routine evaluation of our heart health, if further research on mouthwash to spot signs of cardiovascular disease is successful.
Recent studies into how saliva can identify warning signs of cardiovascular disease by spotting the number of white blood cells in an oral rinse is the latest example of how our mouths can reflect our overall health.
Scientists at the University of Western Ontario in Canada found high levels of white blood cells correlated with compromised flow-mediated dilation, an early indicator of poor arterial health.
The research found inflammation leading up to periodontitis – or gum disease – was linked to less healthy arteries and a potentially higher risk of cardiovascular disease, even in healthy young adults.
Results were published in the journal Frontiers of Oral Health.
It follows recent research by the University of Sharjah that also found gum disease was more common in those who were obese, with poor overall health often replicated in tooth decay due to more mouth bacteria.
Identifying early signs of cardiovascular disease during routine dental check-ups could allow for pre-emptive treatment to avoid heart attacks or strokes in later life.
When we see inflammation and we correlate that with a patient’s age, physical activity and any previous history, we can often relate this to cardiovascular disease
Dr Ali Barhum,
Saudi German Hospital
“We are starting to see more relationships between oral health and risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Ker-Yung Hong, study author at the University of Western Ontario.
“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.”
Healthy young people without diagnosed gum problems were assessed to determine if lower levels of oral inflammation were clinically relevant to cardiovascular health.
Researchers think inflammatory factors could enter the bloodstream via the gums, and damage the vascular system that regulates blood flow around the body, hampering delivery of essential oxygen and nutrients.
The study looked at the oral health of 28 non-smokers aged 18 to 30, without any co-morbidities or other illnesses that could affect their heart health.
Participants fasted for six hours, then rinsed with a saline solution that was analysed for white blood cells.
Measurements were taken for indicators of cardiovascular disease such as blood pressure and an electrocardiogram to show arterial blood flow and stiffness.
The study was restricted due to the young age of participants and their overall good health, leading for calls to extend the research into the wider population.
Red flags
Doctors said the type of screening was a good idea that could be done in line with a regular dental check-up to spot early signs of heart problems.
“In general, when we have patients with cardiovascular issues we notice problems with their periodontal health, such as gingivitis,” said Dr Ali Barhum, a general dentist at Saudi German Hospital in Dubai.
“Dry mouth is also a serious problem related to saliva and can be related to tooth decay or certain medications like beta blockers or other hypertension drugs.
“It is usually a red flag.”
The oral cavity can be a road map to potential health issues elsewhere, with dentists constantly on the lookout for other telltale signs.
This can include dry mouth or a fissured tongue that can indicate Sjogren syndrome, a common autoimmune disease that attacks glands producing moisture in the eyes, mouth and elsewhere.
It can also be associated with stress or the menopause.
As well as cardiovascular disease, poor mouth health can be presented as skin and gastrointestinal problems and an indicator of bone problems.
“Around 60-70 per cent of other health issues in our body have an oral manifestation,” said Dr Barhum.
“When we see inflammation and we correlate that with a patient’s age, physical activity and any previous history, we can often relate this to cardiovascular disease,"
Dr Barhum acknowledged that anti-depressants can also cause inflammation and said looking at the overall health status of a patient was important.
"Most people think a visit to a dentist is purely to examine their teeth but that is not the case.
"We are medical practitioners and looking inside the mouth can give a good indication of someone's general health and well-being.
"If we see any sign of systemic disease or psychological issues, we always then call for more screening of the patient."
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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How to get exposure to gold
Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.
A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.
Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.
Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.
London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long
However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20has%20been%20moored%20off%20the%20Yemeni%20coast%20of%20Ras%20Issa%20since%201988.%3Cbr%3EThe%20Houthis%20have%20been%20blockading%20UN%20efforts%20to%20inspect%20and%20maintain%20the%20vessel%20since%202015%2C%20when%20the%20war%20between%20the%20group%20and%20the%20Yemen%20government%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20Saudi-led%20coalition%20began.%3Cbr%3ESince%20then%2C%20a%20handful%20of%20people%20acting%20as%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ae%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiw2OfUuKr4AhVBuKQKHTTzB7cQFnoECB4QAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fworld%252Fmena%252Fyemen-s-floating-bomb-tanker-millions-kept-safe-by-skeleton-crew-1.1104713%26usg%3DAOvVaw0t9FPiRsx7zK7aEYgc65Ad%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Eskeleton%20crew%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20have%20performed%20rudimentary%20maintenance%20work%20to%20keep%20the%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20intact.%3Cbr%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20pipeline%20from%20the%20oil-rich%20city%20of%20Marib%2C%20and%20was%20once%20a%20hub%20for%20the%20storage%20and%20export%20of%20crude%20oil.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20and%20humanitarian%20impact%20may%20extend%20well%20beyond%20Yemen%2C%20experts%20believe%2C%20into%20the%20surrounding%20waters%20of%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20Djibouti%20and%20Eritrea%2C%20impacting%20marine-life%20and%20vital%20infrastructure%20like%20desalination%20plans%20and%20fishing%20ports.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) beat Hamza Bougamza (MAR)
Catchweight 67kg: Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) beat Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) beat Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg: Mosatafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) beat Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78KG: Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight: Sallah-Eddine Dekhissi (MAR) beat Abdel Enam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg: Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG) beat Rachid Hazoume (MAR)
Lightweight: Mohammed Yahya (UAE) beat Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg: Souhil Tahiri (ALG) beat Omar Hussein (PAL)
Middleweight: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
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