Brushing your teeth thoroughly could prevent heart attacks and strokes, new study finds
Several studies have shown that people with diseased gums are more likely to suffer heart disease
BRUSHING your teeth thoroughly could prevent heart attacks and strokes, a new study has found.
Scientists in the US conducted a trial using a new plaque identifying toothpaste called Plaque HD.
It has been shown to significantly reduce both dental plaque and inflammation through the body, which is measured by high sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker for further heart attacks and strokes.
Several studies have shown that people with diseased gums are more likely to suffer heart disease, but had never been shown that good dental health could lower the risk.
Those using Plaque HD were able to remove twice as much plaque as those using normal toothpaste and their levels of inflammation fell by 29 per cent.
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The study was led by Professor Charles Hennekens, of Florida Atlantic University, who said: “I think this could have policy implications for tens of millions of people alongside satins, aspirin and beta blockers and other agents that help low cardiovascular disease.
“The distinguishing thing in my mind about this is that it is a fairly simple thing to do and yet it could have a big impact.
“And there are no side effects that we know of.”
The study was published in the American Journal of Medicine.
In the accompanying editorial titled “Can a Toothpaste Reduce Heart Attacks and Strokes?,” cardiologist Dr Joseph Alpert noted the importance and timeliness of these findings.
He added how his father, a dentist, had told him even before he went to medical school, that dental health may affect heart attacks and strokes.