Brush Teeth Regularly Can Prevent Heart Disease

From now on do not ever make excuses to delay or even not brushing your teeth . In addition to help clean teeth and prevent bad breath , regular brushing also helps you avoid heart disease . How can that be?

Researchers from Columbia University 's Mailman School of Public Health revealed that good oral hygiene associated with lower levels of atherosclerosis , which is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke . This finding explains the link between healthy gums and thickening of the arteries.

This study was conducted to investigate whether related healthy habits such as flossing mouth , teeth brushing , and regular visits to the dentist can affect the level of carotid atherosclerosis ( thickening of the arteries through the accretion of calcium , cholesterol , and other substances found in the blood stream ) . This condition is known to be associated fatal cardiovascular complications such as coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease .

According Moïse Desvarieux , a professor of epidemiology and lead author of the study , these findings suggest that the effect of oral health habits may be more strongly related than previously thought .

" These results are important because atherosclerosis develops in parallel with gum disease and bacteria in the gums . This is the most direct evidence yet that modify the bacteria in the mouth profile may play a role in preventing or slowing both conditions , " said Moïsen , as reported by Medical Daily on Monday ( 11/04/2013 ) .

To determine whether the improvement in oral bacterial profile individuals to limit atherosclerosis , the researchers examined data from the Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study , previous research project that collects 5,008 plaque samples from 420 adults. These samples were analyzed 11 types of bacteria involved in the infection of the mouth . Using additional data , Moïsen and his colleagues track changes in oral health every subject .

They found that in the study group , oral hygiene is inversely proportional to the level of atherosclerosis . Respondents who had an increase in hygiene and oral health has improved more slowly in the intima - medial thickness or intima - medial thickness ( IMT ) . While those who do not maintain oral hygiene , IMT progression is faster .

The study has been published in the Journal of the American Heart Association .