How Teeth Can Prevent Heart Attacks

Cleaner Teeth May Lead to Fewer Heart Attacks
Last week in Orlando the American Heart Association held its 84th annual meeting. A huge event, by its close over 14,000 medical professionals attended more than 4,000 scientific sessions concerning the latest findings on the treatment and prevention of heart attacks and stroke.

Amazingly, amid that mass of information, one of the studies that received the most attention linked heart attack prevention to regular dental cleanings.
That’s right, cleaner teeth may lead to a healthier heart. That’s really something to smile about.
Researchers at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, followed 100,000 adults over seven years and found those who had their teeth cleaned by a dental professional—at least once over that period—had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and a 13% lower risk of stroke than those who didn’t have a dental cleaning.
Dr. Emily Chen, lead author of the study, told the Orlando Sentinel that protection against heart disease was even stronger among participants who had their teeth cleaned at least once a year.
Of course, there is the possibility that people who have their teeth cleaned take better care of themselves, in general, but—as I said in a previous post , one secret to living a longer life : Flossing ! - a number of other studies have shown that clean teeth can help reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth, prevent heart disease and prolong life.
“The results are not surprising since there have been many studies showing association between inflammation and heart disease,” said Dr. Lawrence Phillips, Director of Nuclear Cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center, in USA Today. “Good dental hygiene is recommended for all patients.”
Nothing is definite—unfortunately in healthcare things rarely are—but the evidence is starting to mount. Who knows, maybe just smiling more is good for your heart?