Dental Habits Related to Adult Cardiovascular Disease and Systemic Inflammation

Objectives: A growing body of epidemiologic evidence links oral health, periodontal disease, and cardiovascular health. While underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are unclear, several studies have suggested a chronic, sub-acute inflammatory state, also implicated in the pathogenesis and etiology of cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the link between dental health practices, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and systemic inflammation. Methods: 128 adults from 5 different counties in West Virginia were recruited to participate in a comprehensive, community-based health screening that included anthropometric assessments, collection of blood specimen, and completion of a questionnaire about oral health and dental habits. Results: In univariate analysis, there were multiple statistically significant associations between dental heath and health habits, and preventive dental care with traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors and markers of systemic inflammation. In particular, increased levels of GLP-1, IL-1â, sICAM-1, CRP, sVCAM-1, MMP-9, MIP-1á, IFN-ã, leptin, c-peptide, and adiponectin were associated with improved dental habits and health. In regression analysis, after controlling for confounders, brushing, flossing, and frequency of preventive dental care demonstrated ceteris paribus effects on fibrinogen, adiponectin, CRP, and sICAM-1. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of preventive dental care in overall, systemic health and add further evidence to the major message of the first ever Surgeon General's Report on Oral health (2000) that oral health is essential to the general health and well being of all Americans. If future studies continue to suggest, as this and previous studies have, that oral health is a key component to overall health, attitudes and policies suggesting that dental insurance is an optional supplement to health insurance may need to be re-evaluated.