Why is the mortality rate from cardiovascular disease higher if a tooth is missing?
2024-08-13
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Some people may think that as long as it does not affect eating, missing one or two teeth is not a big problem, and for older people, "tooth loss" is a normal phenomenon.In fact, new research has found that if missing teeth are not repaired in time, the risk of cardiovascular death is higher than that of the average person.Li Yanfeng, Chief Physician of the Department of Stomatology, the Fourth Medical Center, PLA General HospitalLiu Hongchen, Chief Physician of the Department of Stomatology, First Medical Center, PLA General HospitalTooth loss elevationCardiovascular diseasemortality rate
Recently, a study published in the international oral journal Journal of Endodontics found that tooth loss is related toCardiovascular diseaseThere is a correlation between mortality rates.The study was conducted by scholars from Case Western Reserve University and other institutions in the United States. According to a primary meta-analysis of 12 studies, there is a significant association between tooth loss (no teeth or less than 10 teeth) and cardiovascular disease mortality.Based on this, the study concluded that having no teeth or fewer than 10 teeth can be used as a predictor of cardiovascular disease mortality.Coincidentally, as early as 2017, a study by the British Oral Health Foundation found that people who lost five or more teeth before the age of 65 were more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease,diabetesThe risk of diseases such as osteoporosis is significantly increased, and therefore the risk of premature death is higher.
Researchers say that when there are problems with teeth, bacteria can invade the blood system through damaged gums, enter the coronary arteries, and cause blood vessel blockage.
What harm will it cause if a tooth is missing?
Losing the first tooth is like the first domino falling. There may be no major problems within a few months, but over time it will cause a series of chain reactions.Studies have shown that for every missing tooth, the elderly have a higher risk of myocardial infarction,Heart failureThe morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases have increased to varying degrees.Tooth loss first affects chewing function. If the front teeth are missing, the aesthetic function is affected; if the back teeth are missing, the food grinding function is lost. When the teeth are missing to a certain extent, the remaining roots need to be extracted, resulting in a dentition defect.In addition, many organs are also affected.Inclination of adjacent teeth
When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth have to bear greater chewing force. If this continues for a long time, the adjacent teeth will tilt and shift towards the gap, and the opposing teeth will also elongate, resulting in reduced chewing function.If missing teeth are not filled and adjacent teeth are displaced, the local bite relationship will be disordered. In order to ensure that food is fully chewed, the gums and jaws may have to work extra, which may cause periodontal trauma such as gum damage.After the teeth fall out, the upper and lower jaws lose their support, and the muscles, alveolar bones or the entire jaw gradually degenerate and absorb due to lack of normal chewing stimulation, causing the face to become shorter and sunken.As the bite relationship deteriorates, the jaw rotates forward, making the appearance look older.Every time a tooth is missing, chewing efficiency decreases a little, resulting in reduced saliva secretion and slower gastrointestinal motility.If there are many missing teeth, food will enter the gastrointestinal tract without being chewed, which may increase the gastrointestinal burden and cause gastrointestinal dysfunction.When teeth are missing, the nearby bones are no longer stimulated and significant bone loss will occur in the first year. This loss will also spread to healthy teeth, causing more tooth loss.If there are too many missing teeth, food cannot be fully chewed, nutrition absorption is poor, and osteoporosis occurs.3 ways to "restore" missing teeth
The World Health Organization has set a health standard for the oral cavity: clean teeth, noDental caries, no pain, normal gum color, no bleeding.Oral diseases, especially periodontal diseases, are closely related to overall health.Liu Hongchen proposed"One brush, two passes, three flushes" tooth protection mode is especially suitable for the elderly:- "One brush" means brushing your teeth in the correct way, cleaning each tooth surface, gums and tongue surface;
- "Two-way" is to use dental floss and interdental brush to thoroughly clean each interdental space；
- The "three flushes" means that after completing the above two steps, use the water flosser to flush the spaces between teeth, between mouths and oral mucosa.Patients with removable dentures should thoroughly clean and maintain their dentures scientifically and avoid wearing them at night.
Have an oral examination every six months, and perform full-mouth supragingival cleaning, fluoride treatment on the tooth neck and root surface, etc.People who already have oral diseases should seek medical attention as soon as possible, such as tooth loss.There are currently three ways to repair missing teeth:- Activity Repair: Refers to dentures that patients can remove and put on by themselves.
- Fixed fixes: A method of restoring a missing tooth by using the natural teeth or tooth roots at one or both ends of the gap as abutment teeth.
- Implant restoration: Implant restoration is the process of inserting implants into the jawbone to support crowns, fixed bridges or dentures. It has the advantages of natural appearance, retention and protection of surrounding teeth, and easy care, but the price is higher than traditional restoration.
In addition, we remind everyone to control the intake of sweets appropriately, use the teeth on both sides alternately when chewing, and do tooth-clicking exercises every morning and before going to bed, about 50 times each time, to promote periodontal health.Blood circulation。▲
Editor of this issue: Zhang Yu
