Whether, like 48% of the French*, you are terrified of going to the dentist, this may be information that will convince you to overcome your phobia: people who suffer from dental problems are 2.7 times more likely to contract an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The heart, the teeth… Everything is linked!
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Helsinki (in Finland) on a total of 508 volunteers with heart problems, whose average age was 62 years. Using medical imaging techniques on the blood vessels (angiography) and the jaw (panoramic tomography), the researchers were able to observe the participants’ state of health.
Results ? 33% of the volunteers suffered from an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This health problem is characterized by a sudden reduction in the blood supply to the heart: heart attack and stable angina are the two most common ACS.
A poorly treated cavity = a possible inflammatory lesion
Of these, 58% also suffered from apical periodontitis (AP), an invisible but very common dental problem: it is an inflammatory lesion that affects the root of the tooth – the deep periodontium, more precisely. However, the most common cause of apical periodontitis is… a decay poorly cared for.
“We noticed that ACS was 2.7 times more frequent in people who suffered from apical periodontitis”, explains John Liljestrand, lead author of this work, published in the journal Journal of Dental Research. “Fortunately, these inflammatory lesions are easily detectable with X-rays. However, when we have toothacheit is better to consult a health professional quickly before the problem gets worse…” Message received!
Does the idea of going to see a dentist always give you cold sweats? What if you tried medical hypnosis to tame your stress?
*Opinion Way survey, March 2016
