Losing a lot of teeth can increase the risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. Studies have shown that missing one or more teeth is linked to a higher risk of these conditions. Poor oral health is also known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death worldwide.
It’s possible that tooth loss or poor oral hygiene could allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation that affects the heart. However, there are many other factors that affect heart health, such as smoking, exercise, diabetes, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.
Researchers have found it difficult to determine if there is a direct link between tooth loss and cardiovascular disease. Some studies suggest not, while others show evidence of a connection. A new analysis pooled data from 12 studies to investigate the relationship between severe tooth loss and cardiovascular disease mortality.
The results showed that people who had lost all or most of their teeth had a 66% higher risk of dying from heart-related issues compared to those who had lost fewer teeth. The increased risk was seen in people who had lost roughly 22 or more teeth. Even after adjusting for age, smoking status, and other factors associated with cardiovascular disease risk, the heightened risk persisted.
While this study can only show associations, not direct causes, it suggests that improving oral health could help reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. This could involve providing access to healthy foods and affordable dental care, especially in low- and middle-income countries and older populations.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/severe-tooth-loss-linked-to-risk-of-fatal-heart-disease-study-finds