Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are common cardiovascular conditions associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to transient bacteremia and systemic inflammation, which are known mediators of AF and HF. This study aimed to investigate the association of oral hygiene indicators with the risk of AF and HF in a Korean population.
The study included 161,286 subjects with no prior history of AF, HF, or cardiac valvular diseases. Various oral hygiene indicators such as periodontal disease, frequency of tooth brushing, reasons for dental visits, professional dental cleaning, and number of missing teeth were assessed. The subjects were followed up for a median of 10.5 years to track the occurrence of AF and HF.
During the follow-up period, 3.0% of the subjects developed AF and 4.9% developed HF. The analysis revealed that frequent tooth brushing (≥3 times/day) was associated with a reduced risk of both AF and HF. Conversely, a higher number of missing teeth was linked to an increased risk of HF. Professional dental cleaning was also found to have a protective effect against HF.
The study findings suggest that maintaining good oral hygiene, particularly through regular tooth brushing and professional dental cleaning, can lower the risk of developing AF and HF. These results highlight the importance of oral health in preventing cardiovascular diseases and emphasize the potential benefits of simple oral hygiene practices in reducing the burden of AF and HF.