Treating periodontal disease after a procedure to correct irregular and abnormally fast heart rates may reduce the risk of heart disease recurring.

The disease, known as atrial fibrillation, involves irregular heartbeats and can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. In advanced cases, it can be treated by catheter ablation, which very carefully destroys the damaged area of ​​the heart that is blocking the electrical circuit.

Now, Shunsuke Miyauchi and colleagues at Hiroshima University in Japan have shown that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for atrial fibrillation.

The team enrolled 288 people, all of whom had periodontal disease and underwent ablation to treat atrial fibrillation. Of these, 97 received treatment for periodontal disease within the last three months.

During up to two years of follow-up, 24% of participants experienced atrial fibrillation again, but patients whose periodontal disease was treated after ablation were 61% less likely to develop atrial fibrillation.

The more severe the periodontal disease, the greater the risk of atrial fibrillation returning.

When gum tissue becomes inflamed or ulcerated, bacteria and inflammatory immune proteins can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, Miyauchi says.

The researchers also measured the levels of inflammatory proteins in the participants’ blood before undergoing ablation and found that those with severe periodontal disease had increased levels of inflammatory proteins. Professor Miyauchi said higher levels of antibodies against periodontal disease-related bacteria were also associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation recurrence.

The research team recommends that people with atrial fibrillation receive periodontal treatment if necessary. It can be prevented by brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, using floss or interdental sticks daily, and seeing your dentist regularly.

Nieka Goldberg of New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine points out that the study was relatively small, with only 97 participants receiving treatment for periodontal disease. “Although many attempts have been made to show a link between periodontal disease and heart disease, this study does not show a conclusive link with atrial fibrillation recurrence.” “It certainly lays the foundation for future research in this field.”