New Link Between Tooth Loss And Risk Of Heart Disease Found

Tue, 11 Sep 2007

Teeth loss, caused by cavities or gum disease, may be linked to an increase in the risk of heart disease developing within young adults, according to a new study .

The latest findings from a study, which involved more than 12,000 UK adults – followed from their time at college onwards, up to 57 years - add to evidence linking oral health to heart health .

A number of studies have suggested that their may be a link between gum disease and the risk of heart disease over time, although it's still not certain that there is a cause-and-effect relationship .

Researchers found that those with a large number of missing teeth in young adulthood (nine or more) were one-third more likely to die of heart disease than their peers with fewer than five missing teeth .

The link remained when factors such as socioeconomic background and smoking, which harms both the teeth and gums and the heart, where taken into consideration by the researchers.

Scientists have stated that the bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and gum disease may enter the bloodstream and either damage the blood vessel lining directly or trigger inflammation in the body that then contributes to heart disease – although the current findings do not prove that this is the case.

Dr. Yu-Kang Tu of the University of Leeds, who led the study, said the findings do support a relationship between tooth loss and cardiovascular disease . Tu added that this study, unlike most other studies in this area, focused more on oral health early in life rather than in old age.

"Our study adds to the evidence that chronic infection - oral or elsewhere in the body - may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases," said Tu.

Tu added: "It's too soon to say that good oral hygiene will lower anyone's risk of heart disease, particularly since this risk depends on multiple lifestyle and genetic factors. But, it also won't hurt people to take better care of their teeth ."
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