Oral hygiene habits in patients with coronary heart disease

Aim: Infection – as a possible factor in development of arteriosclerosis, has been extensively investigated over the past years. It has also been the basis for investigating oral hygiene habits in people suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD). Several investigations proved that poor oral hygiene was related to higher prevalence of coronary heart disease, higher cholesterol and proinflammatory markers. Aim of this investigation was to compare oral hygiene habits of persons suffering from CHD with healthy individuals. Material and Methods: We included 292 patients of both genders who formed a representative sample of western Croatian population – 149 patients were diagnosed with CHD and 143 were controls. Subjects were aged from 35 to 80 years. Oral hygiene habits were assessed by the means of a questionnaire. Questions were made regarding toothbrushing frequency, use of interdental brushes/floss, and frequency of dental check-ups. Results: Majority of patients stated that they brushed at least 3 times a day (60% in control and 48% in CHD group) ; no significant differences were observed between the groups. When it came to approximal spaces, 65% of controls and 84% of patients with CHD never used interdental means ; controls used interdental brushes/ floss significantly more often, but rarely on daily basis (11% and 6% respectively). Significant differences were observed in dental check-ups: controls visited their dentists more often . Conclusion: Patients suffering from coronary heart disease have worse oral hygiene habits and are therefore more likely to develop certain infectious oral diseases linked to