Poor Dental Hygiene Can Cause Heart Disease



Posted: Tuesday, September 06, 2011

by Dr K K Aggarwal
Heart Care Foundation of India

 

Chronic poor oral health and tooth loss is associated with modest increases in future heart blockages and paralysis said Padmashri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India and MTNL Perfect Health Mela.

This effect persists after adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors.

In a study of 1203 men with 2 years follow up published in the journal circulation in 2008 among men less than 60 years of age there was a significant dose-dependent increase in the risk of coronary heart disease (hazard ratio 2.12) comparing the highest versus the lowest category of radiographic bone loss (marker of chronic periodontiti).[5]

Mechanisms how chronic periodontitis predisposes to heart blockages include adverse effect of systemic inflammation on endothelial function, intermittent bacteremia may contribute to systemic inflammation including and release of bacterial endotoxins of oral origin into the bloodstream induced by gentle chewing.

Treatment helps. In randomized trial published in 2007 in New Eng J of Medicine, in 120 patients with severe periodontitis, intensive dental therapy was associated with a significant improvement in endothelial function at six months.

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