- A new study finds that treating gingivitis may help reduce the risk of AFib.
- A growing body of evidence has found that periodontitis, an infection of the gums that destroys the tissues around the teeth, is closely linked to many other systemic diseases.
- These diseases include coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Cleaning your teeth after heart surgery for atrial fibrillation (AFib) may help prevent the condition from coming back, according to a new study.
The
Although the American Heart Association (AHA) does not list gum disease as a modifiable risk factor for AFib, growing evidence suggests that periodontitis, an infection of the gums that destroys the tissues around the teeth, is strongly linked to many other systemic diseases , including the coronary artery. disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Scientists are just beginning to understand the link between oral health and heart health, but they suspect that harmful bacteria in the mouth may travel throughout the body, including parts of the heart, leading to inflammation.
The study, one of the first to investigate how gum disease treatment affects AFib, highlights the potential cardiovascular benefits of practicing good oral hygiene.
“Many studies have shown a relationship between left atrial size, the presence of obstructive sleep apnea, the frequency of atrial fibrillation episodes at baseline, and gender, but now we need to look at gum health as a modifiable risk factor,” he said. Bradley Serwer, MD, interventional cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer at VitalSolutionhe told MDLinx.
Researchers evaluated 288 people in Japan who were treated for AFib with a minimally invasive procedure called catheter ablation. In RF ablation, a doctor uses a small probe to heat parts of the heart tissue associated with causing Afib.
The study was conducted from April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2022.
Of the group, 92 underwent radiofrequency probe ablation along with treatment for gingivitis.
The other 191 participants also received the ablation procedure but did not treat their gum inflammation.
The researchers followed up one, three, six, nine and 12 months after each patient was removed, and then every six months.
During the study, 24% of participants experienced AFib recurrence.
Those with severe gingivitis who had been treated were 61% less likely to develop AFib again compared to those with untreated severe gingivitis.
The research team also found that, in general, people who experienced AFib relapse were more likely to have more severe gingivitis.
The biggest risk factors for AFib recurrence included having gingivitis, being female and having an irregular heartbeat for more than two years.
“It appears that patients with significant periodontal disease are more prone to AF recurrence after AF ablation.” Paul Drury, MDa board-certified cardiologist and associate medical director of electrophysiology at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, told Healthline.
Although the study was conducted on a small group of participants, the findings suggest that people with AFib could benefit from getting regular dental checkups.
“Treating periodontal disease improves the chances of maintaining freedom from recurrent AF after an ablation,” Drury said.
Inflammation in the mouth can contribute to the development of other chronic diseases.
Bacteria in the mouth can also travel to other organs, including the heart, and cause damage in the past
“Other studies have shown that poor oral hygiene increases the risk of transient bacteria in the blood, and this can cause inflammation or damage to blood vessels or the heart directly,” says Serwer.
Past
Scientists continue to investigate how tooth and gum inflammation and bacteria in the mouth affect overall health.
“This report is very interesting and shows a link between periodontal disease and atrial fibrillation, but larger, randomized trials are needed to prove the concept,” Drury said.
New research has found that treating gingivitis could improve the management of atrial fibrillation after catheter removal. Scientists are just beginning to understand the link between oral health and heart health, but they suspect that harmful bacteria in the mouth may travel through the body, including the heart. The findings highlight the potential cardiovascular benefits of good oral hygiene.
