A study performed at the University of Helsinki, which was published in the July issue of the Journal of Dental Research, stated that an infection of the tooth’s root tip increases the possibility of coronary artery diseases, even if the infection doesn’t show any symptoms.
The study shows that hidden dental tooth tip infections are very common as 1 in 4 Finns suffer from one such infection, which is usually detected by an X-ray.
According to the researcher John Liljestrand “Acute coronary syndrome is 2.7 times more common among patients with untreated teeth in need of root canal treatment than among patients without this issue.”
Also referred to as apical periodontitis, the dental root tip infection is commonly caused by tooth decay. It is also a bodily reaction to microbial infection in the tooth pulp.
The study involved 508 Finnish patients who were 62 years old and suffering from heart problems. They underwent examination of their coronary arteries through angiography. The result revealed that 36% had stable coronary artery disease (CAD), 33% had acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 31% had no significant CAD.
When the teeth and jaws of the patients were examined, the researchers discovered that up to 58% had at least one inflammatory lesion, a symptom of dental root tip infection.
The result reveals that patients with dental root tip infection were more likely to develop CAD or ACS. This connection is strongest for patients with untreated dental root tip infection that requires a root canal treatment. These patients are at greater risk of ACS.
Based on the findings and results, researchers believed that dental root tip infection or apical periodontitis can be considered as a risk factor for heart disease. “Our findings support the hypothesis that ELs [endodontic lesions] are independently associated with CAD and, in particular, with ACS. This is of high interest from a public health perspective, considering the high prevalence of ELs and CAD.”
Dental infections, no matter what form they come in, can be a life threatening problem if not addressed immediately. At United Smiles, we strongly recognise the importance of prevention when it comes to the welfare of your overall oral health. With an impeccable oral health regimen at home and involvement of your dental team, the threats of dental infections and other serious oral health diseases can be prevented. With our comprehensive preventative and general dental services, we guarantee that you will get the best dental treatment possible.
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