Study suggests link between tooth loss and fatal heart disease

Although the causal relationship between oral and cardiovascular health is not fully understood, researchers view the association as a “predictive risk factor.”

According to a new study from Case Western Reserve University, good oral health is not only crucial for a bright smile, but also for a healthy heart.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry have found “significant” evidence linking tooth loss to an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Anita Aminoshariae, a professor at the University of California, San Luis de la Frontera and lead researcher on the study, said the comprehensive analysis also found that people who are missing some teeth are more likely to die from heart disease, the leading cause of death in Americans, according to the American Heart Association.

Although the causal relationship between oral disease and cardiovascular disease is not fully understood, Aminoshariae said the relationship is generally thought to be a “predictive risk factor” — in other words, the cause is not known.

“Our findings clearly show that tooth loss is not just a dental issue, but is also an important predictor of mortality from cardiovascular disease,” said Aminoshariae. “Good oral health is essential not only for a healthy smile, but also for a healthy heart. This study highlights the importance of regular dental checkups and preventive care to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular disease.”

The results were published in the Journal of Endodontics.

The researchers conducted a thorough search of more than a dozen respected academic research journals to determine whether there was a link between tooth loss and death from CVD.

Survey findings include:

• Overall association: People who lost several teeth were 66% more likely to die from heart-related issues than those who didn’t lose any.
• Variability in studies: Studies vary in their findings, but generally come to the same conclusions.

• Subgroup analyses:
  • Missing teeth: People who have lost all their teeth had a much higher risk of dying from CVD, and the results were consistent across studies.
  • Fewer than 10 teeth: People with fewer than 10 teeth also had a higher risk of death from CVD, but results varied across studies. “The magic number is 10,” Aminoshariae says. “If you have fewer than 10 teeth, you’re in trouble.”

• What about other factors? The researchers looked to see if other factors considered in the study might have affected the overall findings. They found that these differences didn’t significantly change the results. A sensitivity analysis, which essentially double-checked the results, confirmed that missing teeth is indeed a risk factor for death from CVD, Aminoshariae said.

The international team included researchers from the University of Maryland, the University of Belgrade in Serbia, Hamad Dental Center in Qatar and the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.