For a long time scientists have seen a connection between gum disease and some types of heart damage. But now there is also the first publication pointing to the relationship between tooth loss and subclinical forms of cardiovascular disease - this is stated by Dr. Voise Desvarieux, lead author of a study published on the Internet on the electronic version of the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Desvarieux conducted a long-term study in patients 55 years and older who lived in Manhattan, in a history of having heart disease and strokes. Primary studies indicated a relationship between tooth loss and the asymptomatic course of atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries of the neck. While it is planned to examine 1050 patients over a long period of time, preliminary results were published on the first 711 patients with an average age of 66 years.

All participants in the study underwent a thorough examination of the oral cavity, general and neurological examinations. The hygienic state of the oral cavity was recorded in the medical record, including such moments as the frequency of tooth brushing and the use of dental floss. He was also diagnosed with carotid arteries using ultrasound diagnostics. The prevalence of plaques on the carotid arteries increased with the number of lost teeth. In the group with 0-9 lost teeth, 45% had plaques in their arteries. About 60%, in a group with 10 or more lost teeth, had plaques in the arteries.

Desvarieux noted that many participants in the study with gum disease also had other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity. But even with all these risk factors taken into account in statistical models, there was still a significant relationship between tooth loss and early stages of artery occlusion.

Continuing the study, scientists will try to monitor the progression of arterial diseases, gum disease and tooth loss in order to determine the further convincing relationship with the age of patients.

Medicus. En.