Shocking!! Loss of teeth could make us more prone to heart diseases-Recent Analysis
Who said loss of teeth is just a dental problem?
We all know that cardiovascular diseases or CVD could be caused due to various factors like smoking, high cholesterol levels, high BP, diabetes etc. It is worthy to note that in the year 2019 about one third of the deaths across the world were due to CVDs including heart attacks, strokes, heart failures and clogged arteries etc.
How many of us know that CVD can also be caused due to tooth loss? Shocking right!!
What is CVD?
It is noteworthy that cardiovascular diseases or CVD is a disease that involves heart or blood vessels. Various diseases that come under CVD are coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease etc. About 53% of the CVD deaths have been due to dietary risk factors. About 13% of CD deaths have been due to high blood pressure.
What was the study about?
Recently, an analysis was done by Dr. Anitha Aminoshariae, endodontist in Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, USA. It is learnt that the study compiled data from 12 published studies that monitored oral and CVD outcomes over a time period between 3 to 49 years.
The doctor spoke about how her findings have clearly revealed that loss of teeth was not just a dental based issue but a predictor of cardiovascular diseases. Point is that this recent research builds on the previous findings that suggested that missing one or more teeth could increase the chances of heart and cardiovascular diseases.
The shocking piece of information is that persons who have lost most or all of their teeth have 66% chances of dying from heart based issues when compared to others who have lost only a few or no teeth. It was brought out by the study that there was an increased risk of dying from CVD among people who have lost 22 or more teeth.
It is now said that enhancing oral health could partially lower the global burden of CVD. It is possible to enhance oral health by providing better access to healthy foods and affordable dental care for those older persons belonging to middle and low income nations.
It is worthy to note that in the year 2019 about one third of the deaths across the world were due to CVDs including heart attacks, strokes, heart failures and clogged arteries etc.
