It has been postulated that poor oral hygiene is associated with an increased risk of cardiac disease, but there has never been any large scale study to confirm this hypothesis.
A study recently published in the June issue of BMJ has confirmed this association.
The results were based on an analysis of the Scottish Health Survey which examined the relationship of oral hygiene (frequency of toothbrushing) and incidence of cardiovascular disease in 11,869 men and women.
Using statistical modeling, the researchers found that participants who reported poor oral hygiene (never/rarely brushed their teeth) were 1.7 times more likely to have cardiovascular diseases in 8 years. Furthermore, these participants also have an increased level of proteins (fibrinogen and C reactive protein), which are known to increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
If you want to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, please remember to maintain your oral hygiene by brushing your teeth every day.
Source: BMJ 2010.
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