Association between oral health issues and cardiovascular events

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Created On: 04/12/2024

While previous studies have linked periodontal disease to a higher risk of cardiovascular issues, the strength and specific nature of this connection are not well understood.

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Key take away

Tooth loss and gingivitis are linked with a raised risk of cardiovascular issues, including stroke. Tailored preventive measures are crucial, especially for older, obese individuals and smokers, to mitigate this increased risk.

Background

While previous studies have linked periodontal disease to a higher risk of cardiovascular issues, the strength and specific nature of this connection are not well understood. This 10-year retrospective cohort study of 3.7 million Koreans aimed to investigate how gingivitis and tooth loss individually impact the risk of various cardiovascular diseases.

Method

Investigators examined data from 3,779,490 people with no prior heart disease history. Cox proportional hazards models assessed the impact of gingivitis and tooth loss on cardiovascular diseases.

Result

Over a median follow-up duration of 10.38 years, 17,942 novel cases of cardiovascular disorder emerged including 9,536 of stroke, 6,182 of acute myocardial infarction, and 10,224 cases of angina. The chances of developing a stroke were substantially greater in the tooth loss group as opposed to the control group, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.09. For those suffering from both tooth loss and gum disease, the risk of stroke was even higher (aHR: 1.12), and the risk of cardiovascular disease was also increased (aHR: 1.08).

Additionally, gingivitis alone also magnified stroke risk in people aged 50 and older (aHR: 1.05). However, no significant associations were witnessed between periodontal disease and angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction, except in older adults. The link between periodontal issues and cardiovascular diseases was stronger in smokers, people over 50, males, and people struggling with obesity.

Conclusion

Tooth loss and gingivitis are more than just dental issues, they are also risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, particularly stroke. These results underscore the significance of adopting preventive oral health strategies and tailored interventions for high-risk groups.