Oral hygiene home care practices and cardiovascular disease mortality: a cohort study

• Main Author: Jangam, Tejasvini Goud
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Dentistry
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2144/26760

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the association between oral hygiene home care habits and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study involved the secondary analysis of data from an 18 year follow up prospective cohort study of 506 participants with approximately 50.6% of them having CVD. Logistic regression model was used to compare their exposure OH scores, which includes brushing, flossing, use of mouthwash and electronic tooth brush, and were regressed to observed outcome, in relation to CVD mortality. RESULTS: In the multiple regression model a significant association was observed between OH scores and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality (p = 0.004) as well as independent association with flossing in particular (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Oral hygiene and oral health are key components to overall systemic health, and have an important impact on CVD outcome. Oral hygiene, home care flossing in particular, has an independent association in acting as a risk factor for CVD mortality.