Tooth Loss and Atherosclerosis

  Recently, I reviewed an article on tooth loss and atherosclerosis ( a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries ) for the International Journal of Prosthodontics. This study is done in a cohort of Japanese population. Hence it is more relevant to us - Asians.

  A significant correlation was shown between cardiovascular disease ( a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels ) and tooth loss only for males.This may be explained by estrogen and its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. However,such a correlation should not be taken to be a causal relationship.

For more details :

Tooth Loss and Atherosclerosis: The NagahamaStudy

 Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been associated with oral disease in several studies which have shown a link although a significant relationship could not be elicited in several other studies. Inflammation is central to the pathogenesis of both CVD and oral disease, such as periodontal disease, which can cause tooth loss. Therefore this study attempts to investigate the relationship between tooth loss and arterial stiffness, which is a measure of CVD, using baseline survey data in a cohort of the Japanese population.

 Cross- sectional data were collated from 8124 adult residents (30 to 74 years of age)of Nagahama City as part of a larger study investigating a broad range of chronic illnesses, the Nagahama Study. The cardio- ankle vascular index (CAVI) was used to assess arterial stiffness, while tooth loss was assessed with examination of the oral cavity one of two dentists. Congenitally missing, impacted and third molar teeth were excluded from counts, and subjects who reported tooth loss due to orthodontic treatment, malpositioning and trauma were excluded. The association between CAVI and tooth loss was assessed using general linear models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking, HbA1c, and insulin or hypoglycemic use.

 Results of multiple regression analysis showed a significant correlation between CAVI and tooth loss only for males.  This may be explained by estrogen and its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Due to limitations of a cross- sectional study, such a correlation should not be taken to be a causal relationship.

Asai K, Yamori M, Yamazaki T, et al.J Dent Res 2015 Mar;94( supplement 3):52S-58S. References : 35.Reprints :K.Asai ,Department of  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Email: yamori@kuph.kyoto-u.ac.jp -Debbie P.M Hong, Singapore

Written by : Dr Debbie Hong