Dental Hygiene Linked To Heart Disease
Would you think that heart disease could be related to dental hygiene? It is.
There is a well-established connection between oral infections, inflammation, and heart disease, so the results of a large study showing a connection between tooth brushing and heart attack risk aren’t really surprising. What they are, however, is attention-grabbing, which can only help to raise awareness among patients of the connection between infection and overall health.
Published in May in the British Medical Journal BMJ, results from the Scottish Health Survey showed that among more than 11,000 participants, those who admitted to brushing their teeth less than twice a day had a 70% higher risk of cardiovascular events even after adjusting for other CVD risk factors including obesity, smoking, social class, and family history. People who reported poor oral hygiene also had higher levels of bloodstream inflammatory markers including fibrinogen and C-reactive protein.
Poor oral hygiene is the major cause of periodontal disease, a chronic infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth. Thus, gum infections seem to add to the inflammatory burden on individuals, increasing cardiovascular risk, the researchers say.
Oral infections are common, so doctors should be alert to infections in the mouth as signs of increased inflammation, and tell patients to brush their teeth and maintain good oral hygiene, the researchers conclude. Of course, dentists can do this too, but the same people who reported poor oral hygiene were also less likely to have been to see the dentist recently. It may fall to the primary care physician to emphasize the importance of oral health in this at-risk population.
If you’re not already, these are some things you need to do:
• Brush your teeth twice a day. Bad brushing technique can actually make gum disease worse. It’s best to make a circular motion with your toothbrush, which helps the bristles clear out any debris in the gaps between the teeth and gums.
• Floss at least once a day. Ask your dentist to show you how to floss properly if you have any doubts on how to do it. Even better, research and buy a Hydrofloss.
• If your dentist recommends it - use antiseptic mouthwash and toothpaste.
• Get regular checkups and cleanings every six months. Some people may need to make them more frequently - ask your dentist.
• Eat healthy foods - a good balanced diet with adequate vitamins and nutrients will build up your immune system. In this way your body can fight off infection and heal better.
• Stop smoking - the American Academy of Periodontology points out that smoking may be one of the most significant risk factors for gum disease.
Resources:
Persson GR, Persson RE. Cardiovascular disease and periodontitis: an update on the associations and risk. J Clin Periodontol 2008;35:362-79
Danesh J, Wheeler JG, Hirschfield GM, Eda S, Eiriksdottir G, Rumley A, et al. C-reactive protein and other circulating markers of inflammation in the prediction of coronary heart disease. N Engl J Med 2004;350:1387-97
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