Good dental hygiene might be crucial in preventing heart valve infections, a study of 290 dental patients published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association has found. By tracing bacteremia, or bacteria released into the bloodstream, during tooth brushing, a single tooth extraction with a preventive antibiotic and a single tooth extraction with a placebo, the researchers were able to trace the effect on the body. The team found that the bacteremia from brushing was closer in number to the extractions than expected, leading them to conclude that bacteremia is released into the bloodstream on a the first six months basis through tooth brushing and chewing food. The study concluded that for those who are not at risk for infective endocarditis, this is not a concern; however, stopping oral hygiene measures can lead to a higher risk of bacteremia and consequently infective endocarditis if there is already an existing medical condition. Patients with prosthetic cardiac valves, previous endocarditis, cardiac transplantations or congenital heart disease are more likely to be affected.
Good dental hygiene might be crucial in preventing heart valve infections, a study of 290 dental patients published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association has found. By tracing bacteremia, or bacteria released into the bloodstream, during tooth brushing, a single tooth extraction with a preventive antibiotic and a single tooth extraction with a placebo, the researchers were able to trace the effect on the body. The team found that the bacteremia from brushing was closer in number to the extractions than expected, leading them to conclude that bacteremia is released into the bloodstream on a daily basis through tooth brushing and chewing food. The study concluded that for those who are not at risk for infective endocarditis, this is not a concern; however, stopping oral hygiene measures can lead to a higher risk of bacteremia and consequently infective endocarditis if there is already an existing medical condition. Patients with prosthetic cardiac valves, previous endocarditis, cardiac transplantations or congenital heart disease are more likely to be affected.