Dentists recommend brushing twice a day
People who fail to brush their teeth twice a day are
putting themselves at risk of heart disease, say researchers.
A Scottish
study of more than 11,000 adults found those with poor oral hygiene had a 70%
increased risk of heart disease compared with those who brushed twice a day.
The British Medical Journal study backs previous work showing a link between
gum disease and heart problems.
But a charity said oral health was just one factor in good heart health.
It is known that inflammation in the body, including in the mouth and gums, has
an important role in the build up of clogged arteries, which can lead to a
heart attack.
But this is the first time that researchers have looked at whether the
frequency of teeth brushing has any bearing on the risk of developing heart
disease.
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If you don't brush your teeth, your mouth can become
infected with bacteria which can cause inflammation
Judy O'Sullivan British Heart Foundation
Data was
collected on lifestyle behaviours, such as smoking, physical activity and oral
health routines.
Participants were also asked how often they visited the dentist and how often
they brushed their teeth.
Then nurses collected information on medical history and family history of
heart disease, took blood pressure and blood samples.
Overall, six out of 10 people said they visited the dentist every six months
and seven out 10 reported brushing their teeth twice a day.
Over the eight-year study there were 555 "cardiovascular events" such
as heart attacks, 170 of which were fatal.
Taking into account factors that affect heart disease risk, such as social
class, obesity, smoking and family history, the researchers found those who
brushed twice a day were at a lower risk.
Those with poor oral hygiene also tested positive in blood samples for proteins
which are suggestive of inflammation.
Cause
and effect Study leader Professor Richard Watt, from University
College London, said future studies will be needed to confirm whether the link
between oral health behaviour and cardiovascular disease "is in fact
causal or merely a risk marker".
Judy O'Sullivan, senior cardiac nurse at British Heart Foundation, said:
"If you don't brush your teeth, your mouth can become infected with
bacteria which can cause inflammation.
"However, it is complicated by the fact that poor oral hygiene is often
associated with other well known risk factors for heart disease, such as
smoking and poor diet."
She added: "Good personal hygiene is a basic element of a healthy
lifestyle.
"But if you want to help your heart, you should eat a balanced diet, avoid
smoking and take part in regular physical activity."
Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the British Dental
Association, added it was still unclear whether there was a definite cause and
effect between oral hygiene and heart disease.
"Whatever the true position is, we can say with certainty that if people
brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, visit the dentist regularly
and restrict sugary snacks to mealtimes; that this will go a long way towards
keeping the teeth and gums in a healthy state for life."