Heart disease prevention: This everyday habit can lower the risk

Heart disease is one of the leading diseases that affect a big portion of the world’s population. Lifestyle changes can help, and as of recent years, a certain everyday habit can also lower a person’s risk of developing heart disease.

It is not everyday that we hear reports regarding the everyday habits we do having a positive effect and a reduced risk against serious diseases. But as many would say, prevention is more effective than the cure. In this case, Express reports, one habit we do every day can help lower our risk of developing heart disease in the future, and that is brushing your teeth.

Brushing your teeth more than two times a day can actually help reduce the risk of heart disease, according to a new study. This habit can reportedly lower the chance of developing cardiovascular disease by up to 10 percent. The researchers were able to associate heart disease prevention and atrial fibrillation - unusually fast heart rate - to frequent brushing of teeth.

The South Korean researchers conducted this study with over 161,286 participants, and according to the study’s senior author, Dr. Tae-Jin Song, the timeframe and the number of participants further backed up their theory. The participants were men and women within the age range of 40 to 79 years old. They also factored in their age, lifestyle, and body mass index.

At the end of the study, 3.5 percent of the participants were found to have developed atrial fibrillation and five percent developed heart failure.

According to the researchers, the theory behind this new finding is because frequent brushing can reduce the number of bacteria present in the mouth. Specifically in the part between the teeth and gums and thus keeping it from entering the bloodstream. Previous studies have also shown that poor dental hygiene can lead to bacteria entering the blood and causing inflammation.

However, Dr. Song also notes that this theory may come out with different results everywhere else as this was only based in one country as an observational study.

Along with frequent brushing of teeth, other lifestyle changes that can help prevent heart disease include avoiding smoking, 30 to 60 minutes of exercise as well as a heart-healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet is a highly recommended diet plan for those who want to lower their risk of developing the disease.