Oral health and all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory mortality in older people in the UK and USA

Abstract

Preventing deterioration of oral health in older age can be crucial for survival. We aimed to examine associations of oral health problems with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and respiratory mortality in older people. We used cohort data from the British Regional Health Study (BRHS) (N = 2147, 71–92 years), and the Health, Aging and Body Composition (HABC) Study (USA) (N = 3075, 71–80 years). Follow-up was 9 years (BRHS) and 15 years (HABC Study). Oral health comprised tooth loss, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and self-rated oral health. Cox regression was performed for all-cause mortality, competing risks for CVD mortality, and accelerated failure time models for respiratory mortality. In the BRHS, tooth loss was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.59, 95% CI 1.09, 2.31). In the HABC Study, tooth loss, dry mouth, and having ≥ 3 oral problems were associated with all-cause mortality; periodontal disease was associated with increased CVD mortality (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) = 1.49, 95% CI 1.01, 2.20); tooth loss, and accumulation of oral problems were associated with high respiratory mortality (tooth loss, time ratio (TR) = 0.73, 95% CI 0.54, 0.98). Findings suggest that poor oral health is associated with mortality. Results highlight the importance of improving oral health to lengthen survival in older age.

Oral Health among Elderly, Impact on Life Quality, Access of Elderly Patients to Oral Health Services and Methods to Improve Oral Health: A Narrative Review

“…Edentulism is associated with nutritional deficits and significantly impacts the quality of life of the elderly; data from literature associates edentulism with increased mortality. Edentulism is highly associated in elderly population with the access to dental care services, offered by the state of public financial support or implementation of dental care policies [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Edentulism is highly prevalent around the world; 21.9% of patients over 74 in the United States of America and 39.6% from the same age group in New Zealand are affected by this condition.…”

Unexpected Relationships: Periodontal Diseases: Atherosclerosis–Plaque Destabilization? From the Teeth to a Coronary Event

“…In a study by Kotronia et al involving 5222 elderly subjects who were followed for an average of 9–15 years, it was shown that the presence of PD increased the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 49% (HR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.01–2.20) [ 108 ]. Similar results were obtained by Bengtsson et al in a study involving 858 subjects over 60 years of age who were followed for an average of 17 years, it was shown that PD increased the risk of CAD (HR = 1.5; CI: 1.1–2.1) and cardiovascular death (HR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2–1.8) [ 109 ].…”

Cross Talk between Synthetic Food Colors (Azo Dyes), Oral Flora, and Cardiovascular Disorders

“…The Hemi-desmosomes (multi-protein complexes) and desmosomes (adhesive proteins) both are basic key factors of cell-cell junction. The innate immune response activation and invasion of virulence factors affect these basic structures, which leads to the break-down of epithelial barriers [56]. Through this, the bacterium migrates from the cell-cell junctions and makes the whole blood vessel more permeable.…”