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TAIPEI, TAIWAN. Periodontitis (inflammation of gum tissue) has been associated with an increased
risk of cardiovascular disease and elevation of the systemic inflammation marker C-reactive
protein (CRP). Periodontitis is, in turn, associated with poor oral hygiene and can largely
be avoided by regular teeth brushing, flossing, and periodic visits to the dentist for a
thorough cleaning and dental scaling. Systemic inflammation is also associated with atrial
fibrillation (AF), so it is perhaps not too surprising that a group of Taiwanese physicians
now report a clear link between poor oral hygiene and the development of AF.
Their study involved 28,900 Taiwanese citizens without a history of cardiac arrhythmia.
The average age of the participants was 68 years and 55% were male. The group was
followed for 4.6 years during which time 478 participants (2.8%) developed AF. The
incidence of new-onset AF in participants who had undergone dental scaling at least
once a year for 3 consecutive years (3,391 subjects) was 2.2% as compared to 3.0%
in those who had not undergone dental scaling (13,564 subjects).
Other factors associated with the development of AF were congestive heart failure
(2-fold increase in risk), coronary artery disease (64% relative risk increase),
chronic renal disease (47% relative risk increase), and hypertension (38% relative
risk increase). In contrast, just one dental scaling a year reduced the risk of
developing AF by 33%, whilst more frequent procedures decreased the risk even further.
The Taiwanese researchers conclude that improvements in oral hygiene through dental
scaling may be a simple and effective way to reduce systemic inflammation and prevent
the development of AF.
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