In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers examined the relationship between the frequency of brushing one’s teeth and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients aged 20 years or older. The study aimed to explore whether not brushing teeth at night increases the risk of CVDs.
Previous studies have highlighted the importance of oral care in patients with various diseases, including cancers, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular diseases. However, these studies did not specifically investigate the link between toothbrushing habits and systemic diseases such as CVD.
The study included 1,675 participants who were hospitalized at Osaka University Hospital in Japan between April 2013 and March 2016. Patients seeking dental treatment, perioperative oral care, and infection screening were also considered for the analysis.
The participants were divided into four groups based on their toothbrushing habits. Group MN brushed their teeth twice daily (once after waking up and again at night), group Night only brushed their teeth once at night, group M brushed their teeth only after waking up, and group None did not brush their teeth.
The researchers evaluated various factors such as age, gender, smoking history, and follow-up results of each participant. Oral health, including dental pocket depths and tooth mobility, were assessed by a dentist. The study also considered different cardiovascular events such as heart failure, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and valvular and aortic diseases requiring surgery.
The findings showed that participants in groups MN and Night had significantly higher survival rates compared to Group None. Participants in group MN had the highest number of dental pocket depths exceeding eight millimeters, indicating poor oral health. Notably, many patients who did not brush their teeth at night mentioned consuming alcohol, which led to fatigue and neglecting oral hygiene.
The researchers emphasized the importance of brushing teeth at night to maintain good oral health and prevent CVDs. They noted that breakfast and lunch can increase the risk of oral deposits, which can contribute to dental caries and periodontal diseases. Brushing teeth only in the morning is not enough to maintain proper oral hygiene, as it does not address the potential surge in intraoral bacterial load during sleep.
The study concludes that while brushing teeth before breakfast is necessary, brushing teeth at night before bed is even more crucial for preventing CVDs. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating proper oral hygiene practices into daily routines to reduce the risk of systemic diseases like CVD.
Reference:
Isomura, ET, Suna, S., Kurakami, H. et al. (2023). Not brushing teeth at night may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Scientific Reports 13(10467). doi:10.1038/s41598-023-37738-1