SEOUL: The new study has suggested that people who brushed their teeth three times a day decreases the risk of a heart attack.
According to the research, poor oral hygiene leads to bacteria in the blood, causing inflammation in the body.
The research added that inflammation increased the risks of irregular heartbeat and heart failure. The study examined the connection between oral hygiene and the occurrence of these two conditions.
Researchers examined that the tooth brushing three or more times a day was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of atrial fibrillation and a 12 percent lower risk of heart failure during a 10.5-year follow up.
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The findings were independent of a number of factors including age, sex, socioeconomic status, regular exercise, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and comorbidities such as hypertension.
Getting regular professional dental cleanings was also tied to a 7 percent lower risk of heart failure while having 22 or more missing teeth was linked to a 32 percent higher heart failure risk.
Heart failure happens when the heart muscle is too weak to pump enough blood through the body. Symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain from fluid retention, shortness of breath and coughing or wheezing.
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Some previous research suggests that poor oral hygiene may cause bacteria to seep into the bloodstream, provoking inflammation throughout the body.
The study is not designed to prove whether or how oral health or tooth brushing habits might directly impact heart health.
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