Response of Pulpal and Gingival Blood Flow to Physical Activity

Introduction: Knowledge of the factors regulating pulpal and gingival blood flow can provide valuable insight on tissue regeneration, wound healing, and potency of dental anesthesia.

Objective: To study the effect of physical activity on pulpal (PBF) and gingival blood flow (GBF)

Methods: Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was used to detect PBF and GBF in 20 physically inactive and active subjects. Pulp vitality of the upper right central incisor was assessed. Baseline heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), weight, and height were measured. Alginate impressions of the maxilla were taken. Two holes, one over the incisor and the other 1cm from the gingival margin, were drilled through the impression to establish probe placement for PBF and GBF respectively. Pre-exercise LDF measurements were taken. Subjects participated in treadmill run (80%HRmax, 5m), after which post-exercise LDF measurements, HR, and BP were analyzed.

Results: Changes in PBF occurred independently of changes in GBF. Subjects were almost twice as likely to have an increase in PBF and GBF. PBF increased with exercise in 75% of the total subjects, in 90% of the inactive, and in 60% of the active subjects. PBF increased a mean of 33% with acute exercise (p = 0.0002) in inactive and active subjects. For GBF, 55% of the total and approximately 50% of the inactive and active displayed an increase with exercise. No significant correlations for GBF were found before and after exercise (p=0.10). There were no significant associations between PBF/GBF and gender, BMI, or pulp vitality. No difference was found in PBF/GBF response to exercise between the inactive and active subjects.

Conclusions: PBF and GBF are independent of each other. Acute exercise appears to increase PBF, but does not have as consistent of an impact on GBF. The lack of significant correlations may indicate that other local factors have a greater influence on PBF and GBF.

Support: COHORT Training Grant #T32DE07306