Survey states that brushing your teeth lowers heart attack risk
A new study, the findings of which have been published in the American Journal of Medicine, has claimed that brushing your teeth could help to lower the risk of heart attacks.
Scientists in the USA conducted trials using a toothpaste which highlights plaque on the teeth. They found that people who used the toothpaste removed double the amount of plaque than those who used normal products. They also discovered that brushing with the toothpaste reduced inflammation by 29%. Statins, medicines used to lower cholesterol, typically reduce inflammation by around 37%.
Professor Charles Hennekens, the lead author of the study and professor at the Florida Atlantic University, suggested that the findings could have a significant impact in the future. Professor Hennekens, who was involved in research on the effects of aspirin on heart health in the 1990s, claims that the new study could have “policy implications for tens of millions of people”. He then suggested that brushing could be used alongside medications, including statins and aspirin, to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
He explained that this is a fairly simple measure which seems to have a significant impact without any known side-effects. The team is now hoping to conduct a larger scale trial involving more people.
Previous studies have suggested that poor oral health could increase the risk of heart disease, however this is the first project to claim that good oral health could actually lower the risk of heart attacks.
The trial involved 61 adults in a divided group; some of the participants used the special toothpaste, whilst others used normal toothpaste. The participants were monitored over a 60 day period and had their plaque levels assessed before and after the study. Plaque levels fell by 49% and 24% respectively for those using the special toothpaste and those using the normal toothpaste. Researchers also found that levels of c-reactive protein (an indicator of inflammation) fell by 29% in the first group, but increased by 25% in the second group.
