Brush your
teeth to protect the heart
Sophia Antipolis, European Society
of Cardiology
Brushing teeth frequently is linked
with lower risks of atrial fibrillation and heart failure, according to a study
published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a
journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
Previous research suggests that poor
oral hygiene leads to bacteria in the blood, causing inflammation in the body.
Inflammation increases the risks of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
and heart failure (the heart’s ability to pump blood or relax and fill with
blood is impaired).
This study examined the connection between oral hygiene and occurrence of these two conditions.
This study examined the connection between oral hygiene and occurrence of these two conditions.
The retrospective cohort study enrolled 161,286 participants of the Korean National Health Insurance System aged 40 to 79 with no history of atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
Participants underwent a routine medical examination between 2003 and 2004. Information was collected on height, weight, laboratory tests, illnesses, lifestyle, oral health, and oral hygiene behaviours.
During a median follow-up of 10.5
years, 4,911 (3.0%) participants developed atrial fibrillation and 7,971 (4.9%)
developed heart failure.
Tooth brushing three or more times a
day was associated with a 10% lower risk of atrial fibrillation and a 12% lower
risk of heart failure during 10.5-year follow up.
The findings were independent of a number of factors including age, sex, socioeconomic status, regular exercise, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and comorbidities such as hypertension.
The findings were independent of a number of factors including age, sex, socioeconomic status, regular exercise, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and comorbidities such as hypertension.
While the study did not investigate
mechanisms, one possibility is that frequent tooth brushing reduces bacteria in
the subgingival biofilm (bacteria living in the pocket between the teeth and
gums), thereby preventing translocation to the bloodstream.
Senior author Dr. Tae-Jin Song of
Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea noted that the analysis was limited to one
country and as an observational study does not prove causation. But he added:
“We studied a large group over a long period, which adds strength to our
findings.”
An accompanying editorial states:
“It is certainly too early to recommend tooth brushing for the prevention of
atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure”.
It adds: “While the role of inflammation in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease is becoming more and more evident, intervention studies are needed to define strategies of public health importance.”
It adds: “While the role of inflammation in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease is becoming more and more evident, intervention studies are needed to define strategies of public health importance.”