Missing Teeth Predict Incident Cardiovascular Events, Diabetes, and Death

Area of Science:

• Oral health
• Cardiovascular epidemiology
• Public health

Background:

• Periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
• Periodontitis is linked to atherosclerotic vascular disease.
• Predictive markers for chronic diseases are crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the predictive capability of missing teeth for incident cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and all-cause mortality.
• To determine if dental status can enhance existing risk prediction models.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National FINRISK 1997 Study, a Finnish population-based survey.
• Included 8,446 subjects with a 13-year follow-up period.
• Collected dental status at baseline and tracked incident CVD events, diabetes, and death through national registers.

Main Results:

• Having 5 or more missing teeth increased the hazard for coronary heart disease events and acute myocardial infarction by 60-140%.
• 9 or more missing teeth were associated with increased risk of incident CVD, diabetes, and all-cause death.
• No association was found with stroke; however, missing teeth improved risk prediction for death and other endpoints.

Conclusions:

• The number of missing teeth is a significant predictor of major chronic diseases and mortality.
• Incorporating dental status into risk assessments can improve the identification of individuals at higher risk.
• Missing teeth serve as a simple, valuable indicator for general medical practitioners to assess overall health risks.