Brush your teeth for a healthy heart
Brushing teeth daily not only helps in maintaining good dental health but is also beneficial for the heart, says a recent study.
Brushing teeth frequently linked with lower risks of atrial fibrillation and heart failure, according to a study published recently.
Previous research suggests that poor oral hygiene lead 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 the occurrence of these 2 conditions.
The retrospective cohort study enrolled 161,286 participants of the Korean National Health Insurance System aged 40-79 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 %) participants developed atrial fibrillation and 7,971 ( 4.9%) developed heart failure.
Tooth brushing 3 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.
While the study did not investigate mechanisms, one possibility is that frequent tooth brushing reduces bacteria in the subgingical biofilm ( bacteria living in the pocket between teeth and gums), thereby preventing translocation to the bloodstream.
Senior author noted that the analysis was limited to one country and as an observational study does not prove causation. But he added that, we studied a large group over a long period, which adds strength to our findings.
It is certainly too early to recommend tooth brushing for the prevention of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. 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, stated an accompanying editorial.
Brushing teeth frequently linked with lower risks of atrial fibrillation and heart failure, according to a study published recently.
Previous research suggests that poor oral hygiene lead 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 the occurrence of these 2 conditions.
The retrospective cohort study enrolled 161,286 participants of the Korean National Health Insurance System aged 40-79 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 %) participants developed atrial fibrillation and 7,971 ( 4.9%) developed heart failure.
Tooth brushing 3 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.
While the study did not investigate mechanisms, one possibility is that frequent tooth brushing reduces bacteria in the subgingical biofilm ( bacteria living in the pocket between teeth and gums), thereby preventing translocation to the bloodstream.
Senior author noted that the analysis was limited to one country and as an observational study does not prove causation. But he added that, we studied a large group over a long period, which adds strength to our findings.
It is certainly too early to recommend tooth brushing for the prevention of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. 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, stated an accompanying editorial.