Maintaining good oral health is crucial not only for a radiant smile but also for a healthy heart, according to a new study by Case Western Reserve University.
Researchers from the School of Dental Medicine have found significant evidence linking tooth loss to an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Anita Aminoshariae, a professor at the dental school and the study’s lead researcher, conducted a comprehensive analysis that revealed those with several lost teeth face an even higher chance of dying from heart disease.
This aligns with the American Heart Association’s data, which states that heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death.
While the exact cause-and-effect relationship between oral health and heart disease isn’t fully understood, Aminoshariae noted that tooth loss is generally considered a “predictive risk factor” for cardiovascular disease.
This means that while the cause hasn’t been definitively established, the presence of tooth loss can predict an increased risk of heart-related death.
“Our findings clearly show that tooth loss is not just a dental issue, but a significant predictor of cardiovascular disease mortality,” Aminoshariae said.
“Maintaining good oral health is essential, not only for a healthy smile but also for a healthy heart. This study underscores the importance of regular dental check-ups and preventive care to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events.”
The results of this study were published in the Journal of Endodontics.
The research team conducted an exhaustive literature review, examining more than a dozen respected scholarly research journals to explore the connection between losing teeth and dying from CVD.
Among the key findings:
- Overall Connection: People who lost several teeth had a 66% higher chance of dying from heart-related issues compared to those who didn’t.
- Subgroup Analysis: For people who had lost all their teeth, the risk of dying from CVD was much higher, and this was consistent across different studies. Those with fewer than 10 teeth left also faced a higher risk of CVD mortality, though the results varied more between studies.
- The Magic Number is 10: Aminoshariae highlighted that having 10 or fewer teeth significantly increases the risk of heart disease. “For those who had 10 teeth or less, they’re in trouble,” she said.
The researchers also checked if other factors considered in the studies affected the overall findings.
They found that these differences didn’t significantly change the results. A sensitivity analysis, which double-checks the results, confirmed that losing teeth is indeed a risk factor for dying from CVD.
This study emphasizes the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups to prevent tooth loss and reduce the risk of fatal heart disease.
By taking care of our teeth, we can help protect our hearts as well.
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