Frequently brushing teeth may help prevent heart attacks

A new study has identified a link between brushing teeth and preventing heart attacks.

Frequently brushing teeth may help prevent heart attacks. Photo: Phuong Tran/Unsplash

Researchers with the European Society of Cardiology examined health data from more than 161,000 people with no history of heart problems. After a 10-year follow-up, 3 per cent of them had developed atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm) and nearly 5 per cent developed heart failure.

Tooth-brushing three times a day or more was linked to 10 per cent lower risk of atrial fibrillation and 12 per cent lower risk of heart failure.

Senior author Dr. Tae-Jin Song of Ewha Womans University in Seoul noted that the findings don’t prove causation, but the analysis is strong.

“We studied a large group over a long period, which adds strength to our findings,” he said. The analysis also adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, regular exercise, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and other present conditions like hypertension.

Previous studies had shown that poor oral hygiene can have negative health effects, including bacteria in the blood leading to inflammation in the body, which in turn increases the risk of heart problems such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure. (Tasnim News Agency)

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