A study of 2,370 patients from the University of Michigan has found a link between heart attacks and periodontal health.
Speaking to the University of Michigan News, Romesh Nalliah co-author and associate dean of patient services at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry said, “After controlling for several factors, the periodontal care group had higher odds of having post-hospital visits.
“Dentistry is often practiced in isolation from overall health care. Our results add weight to the evidence that medical and dental health are closely interrelated. More and more studies like ours are showing that it is a mistake to practice medicine without the thoughtful consideration of the patient’s oral health.”
The patients were selected using the MarketScan database. Of these:
- 47 per cent received regular or other oral care
- Seven per cent received active periodontal care
- 10 per cent received controlled periodontal care
- Over 36 per cent did not have oral health care before they were hospitalised after a cardiac incident
Romesh hopes that if there is communication between medical and dental professionals will “help with early intervention” to ensure “stable periodontal health in patients who have risk factors for heart disease.”