Results of a recent study revealed a link between cardiovascular diseases and tooth loss.
The data from the study was presented at the 2018 American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention Conference. The findings from the preliminary research show that people who lost two or more teeth had a high chance of getting cardiovascular diseases.
The research was based on middle-aged adults who were between 45 to 69 years. The researchers analyzed the impact of tooth loss over eight years. When the research kicked off, no participant had any cardiovascular disease. The participants would then report to the researchers if they had tooth loss. The number of remaining teeth would then be recorded.
From the findings, participants who started with 25-32 teeth and lost two or more of them were 23% more prone to getting coronary conditions. People that had less than 17 teeth at the beginning of the research were 25% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The cardiovascular risk increased by 16% among those who lost two or more teeth (The stats are compared to those who had no tooth loss during the study).
The research reveals that poor dental health, such as periodontal disease, can affect the heart. Participants who had other health concerns such as diabetes didn’t have an impact on the study.
The findings reiterated the fact that there’s a connection between poor oral health and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The data from the study highlights the missing link between tooth loss and cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, there are other factors that can lead to developing cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes and bad lifestyle habits.
Furthermore, the research indicates that primary care physicians need to pay attention to oral health. The loss of teeth and deteriorating oral health are significant markers in highlighting underlying health issues that one may have. Individuals can improve their health by avoiding poor health choices such as unhealthy eating habits and monitoring their blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Dr. Gradeless can help with tooth replacement. Give us a call to schedule a consultation.
