Risk of heart disease linked to oral health

New research from the USA examined how around 700 adults brush their teeth, and investigated the risk of having or dying from a stroke, heart attack or heart failure. The researchers concluded that regularly brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste can decrease the risk of developing heart problems by as much as three times, and that poor oral health is very likely to lead to poor general health and wellbeing in other parts of the body.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “Findings like this may sound slightly scary to hear but it could prove to be just the push we need to take better care of our oral health. This study adds to the growing scientific evidence that this is a strong link between the health of our mouth and that of our body. For many years, gum disease has been linked with conditions like strokes, diabetes, dementia, and pregnancy outcomes. These are all serious conditions that could impact on a person’s quality of life. Looking after our mouth should be a priority every day and the benefits of doing so are simply too important to ignore.”