A study observed more than 100,000 people, none of whom had a history of heart attack or stroke at the beginning of the study, over a period of seven years in Taiwan. The study suggested that those people who got their teeth professionally cleaned at least twice or more in two years had significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like heart attack or a stroke.
The findings which were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011 stated that people who got their teethed scaled by a dentist had 13 percent less chance of stroke and ran as much as 24 percent lower risk of heart attack, compared to people who never had had a dental cleaning done by a certified dental hygienist or dentist.
The study had included more than 51,000 adults who had undergone teeth scaling partially or fully, at least once a year. The study also included an equal number of adults who had never got their teeth cleaned professionally. The study did not make any adjustments for cardiovascular disease risk factors such as smoking, ethnicity/ race or weight factors.
As per Emily (Zu-Yin) Chen, M.D., cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, “Protection from heart disease and stroke was more pronounced in participants who got tooth scaling at least once a year. Professional tooth scaling appears to reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth that can lead to heart disease or stroke.”
Another study conducted on approximately 8,000 participants by Dr. Holmlund, dentist researcher at the Centre for Research and Development of the County Council of Gävleborg, Sweden, showed that the type of periodontal (gum) disease is a good predictor of the degree of risk one has of heart attack and heart failure, as well as stroke.
The study went on to give very specific numbers of periodontal bad spots and the probability attached to the numbers, such as:
- People having fewer than 21 teeth had an increased risk by 69 percent of having a heart attack than those who have most of their teeth.
- A larger number of infected pockets in the gum 53 percent increased risk of heart attack compared to those with the fewest pockets.
- Those with the least amount of teeth were approximately 2.5 times more at risk of developing congestive heart failure when compared to those who had the most teeth.
- The highest incidence of gum bleeding had a 2.1 increased risk of stroke.
However, more research needs to be done to come to definitive conclusions for this new science.
What is important though, is that it is time health care providers look at the relationship between oral health and risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A habit that takes five minutes a day can add years to your life. It also helps prevent everything from heart attacks and strokes to diabetes, colds, flu, and arthritis. What’s more, it even improves your looks and fights bad breath.
A new study published in Journal of Aging Research adds to mounting evidence that one of the simplest—and cheapest—secrets of long life is taking care of your teeth, with daily brushing and flossing. Conversely, neglecting your chompers—and skipping dental visits—can actually be fatal.
How much impact can good oral health have on longevity?
California researchers tracked 5,611 seniors for 17 years, and found that:
- Not brushing at night boosted the risk for death during the study period by 20 to 35 percent, compared to brushing every night.
- Never flossing hiked mortality risk by 30 percent, versus daily flossing.
- Not seeing a dentist in the previous 12 months raised the risk of death by up to 50 percent, compared to getting dental care two or more times a year.
Another startling finding: One major predictor of early death was missing teeth, even after other risk factors were taken into account, the study reported. People who wore dentures had a 30 percent higher mortality risk than those with 20 or more of their natural chompers.
What’s the connection between oral health and long life?
A new review of studies published over the past 20 years links periodontal (gum) disease to a greater threat of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD)—heart attacks and strokes--the leading killer of Americans.
Another scary fact: If you have gum disease—bacterially induced chronic inflammation of the gums, connective tissue, and bone supporting your teeth—your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke doubles, according to recent research.
Gum disease affects nearly 50 percent of Americans, many of whom don’t know they have it, because in the early stages, it’s painless. One study found that people with higher blood levels of bacteria in the mouth were more likely to have a build-up of plaque in the carotid artery in the neck (a blockage there can lead to stroke).
Inflammation is the leading suspect--it underlies gum disease as well as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and more. Bottom line: if you’ve got periodontal disease, you could be vulnerable to a long list of scary medical problems that could cut your life short.
What are the warning signs of gum disease?
And just as heart disease can creep up on you silently, gum disease is pretty sneaky, too--symptoms may not show up until it is advanced. Still, here are the warning signs:
- Red, swollen or tender gums or other mouth pain.
- Your gums bleed when you brush, floss or eat hard food
- Your gums are pulling away from your teeth (your teeth look longer than they used to)
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- A change in your bite (the way your teeth fit together)
Keeping Your Mouth Healthy
Being more diligent about brushing and flossing—and seeing the dentist--can actually save your life, since research shows that if gum disease is treated, blood vessel health can improve in as little as six months.
Here are some tips that may take you to the next level of oral care:
- Brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and before you go to bed.
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Make sure you brush the back as well as the front of your teeth.
- Brush your tongue, too--that whitish coating you see in the morning is plaque that can cause bad breath and is a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Get an electric toothbrush--the back and forth action of the brush head works better to remove plaque than a manual toothbrush. Most are timed to signal when you’ve brushed for two minutes; three is better.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash, or a fluoride or antiplaque mouthwash.
- Floss at least once a day; get between all your teeth and move the floss up and down several times
- Buy some disclosing tablets at the drugstore--you chew them and they highlight any plaque that you missed in brushing.
- See your dentist regularly for checkups and professional teeth cleaning.
- Eat foods that protect against plaque and harmful sugars: cheeses, peanuts, yogurt and milk.
- Avoid sticky sweet foods--prolonged contact can damage teeth. And avoid bedtime snacks unless you want to brush your teeth again.
- If you value your gums and teeth, don’t smoke. Using tobacco multiplies your risk of gum disease by six, makes it harder to treat and raises the risk of tooth loss.
