Abstract
Poor oral health is an independent predictor of cardiovascular outcome. Endothelial dysfunction is the initial step of atherosclerosis, resulting in cardiovascular outcomes; but there is no information on the association between oral health and endothelial function. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between oral health and endothelial function. A total of 190 subjects who underwent health examinations (mean age, 57±18 years), including patients with cardiovascular disease, completed a questionnaire on oral health and frequency of tooth brushing, and underwent measurement of vascular function, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to frequency of tooth brushing (≥twice/day and <once/day). FMD was significantly lower in the <once/day tooth brushing group as compared to the ≥twice/day tooth brushing group (3.3±2.2% vs. 5.0±3.0%, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation between the 2 groups. On multiple logistic regression analysis, tooth brushing <once/day remained independently associated with low FMD tertile. Poor oral health, that is, decreased frequency of tooth brushing, is associated with endothelial dysfunction.
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