People with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of heart failure by having good oral hygiene, scientists have said.
A new study has also found that poor management of dental diseases is associated with a higher risk of developing heart failure.
Prior research has reported that people with dental diseases are more likely to develop heart diseases compared to those without.
More than 173,000 adults in South Korea took part in the study, all of whom have type 2 diabetes.
Nearly a quarter of the participants also had periodontal diseases – mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth.
Individuals with periodontal diseases were more likely to have missing teeth and are required to attend regular dentist appointments, the study has reported.
More than 3,300 of the participants went on to develop heart failure, according to the research findings.
The participants with 15 or more missing teeth were 37 per cent more likely to develop heart failure compared to those with all of their teeth, the results show.
According to the study, the participants with both periodontal diseases and dental caries were 20 per cent more at risk of develop heart failure compared to those without any of these diseases.
The study stated: “Better oral hygiene care was associated with decreased risk of heart failure, even when individuals had confounding periodontal diseases (P = 0.047 for daily toothbrushing) or an increasing number of missing teeth (P < 0.001 for professional dental cleaning and daily toothbrushing).”
The study is now available in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
