Poor oral hygiene as a risk factor for infective endocarditis-related bacteremia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) often is caused by bacteria that colonize teeth. The authors conducted a study to determine if poor oral hygiene or dental disease are risk factors for developing bacteremia after toothbrushing or single-tooth extraction.

Methods

One hundred ninety-four participants in a study were in either a toothbrushing group or a single-tooth extraction with placebo group. The authors assessed the participants' oral hygiene, gingivitis and periodontitis statuses. They assayed blood samples obtained before, during and after the toothbrushing or extraction interventions for IE-associated bacteria.

Results

The authors found that oral hygiene and gingival disease indexes were associated significantly with IE-related bacteremia after toothbrushin

SUBMITTER: Lockhart PB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2770162 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature