Regular dental check-ups can prevent gum disease, and now a new study suggests that treating gum disease may also lower the risk of an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate reoccurring. Atrial fibrillation, a disorder characterized by an irregular heartbeat, can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. In advanced cases, it can be treated via catheter ablation, a procedure that destroys a damaged area of the heart that is interrupting its electrical circuits.
Research conducted by Shunsuke Miyauchi at Hiroshima University in Japan and his colleagues indicates that gum disease may be a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. The team enrolled 288 people with gum disease who had undergone ablation to treat atrial fibrillation. Of these, 97 received treatment for their gum disease up to three months later. The study found that in a follow-up period lasting up to two years, 24 per cent of the participants experienced atrial fibrillation again. However, those whose gum disease was treated after ablation were 61 per cent less likely to experience a reoccurrence.
The researchers also discovered that the risk of developing atrial fibrillation again was higher in individuals with more severe gum disease. Inflamed or ulcerated gum tissue can allow bacteria and inflammatory immune proteins to enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting the heart. The study measured elevated levels of inflammatory proteins in the blood of participants with severe gum disease, and higher levels of antibodies for gum disease-related bacteria were linked to greater atrial fibrillation reoccurrence.
The team encourages people with atrial fibrillation to seek treatment for gum disease if necessary, emphasizing preventive measures such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, daily flossing or using interdental sticks, and regular dental check-ups. However, Nieca Goldberg at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York cautions that the study was relatively small, with just 97 participants receiving treatment for gum disease. While the study does not definitively prove a link between gum disease and atrial fibrillation recurrence, it does provide groundwork for further investigation.
