Oral Hygiene Status in 88-Year-Olds with a History of Myocardial Infarction and Stroke

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between oral hygiene and a history of myocardial infarction or stroke in elderly individuals. METHOD: The study was conducted in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and included 664 individuals aged 88 who underwent dental check-ups between 2019 and 2021. Data on oral health, demographics, and medical history, including infarction and stroke, were collected through dental check-ups and questionnaires administered by dentists. RESULTS: Results showed that 24.5% of participants had poor oral hygiene, while 75.5% had good oral hygiene. A higher incidence of poor oral hygiene was found in those with a history of myocardial infarction or stroke, with a 1.6-fold increase compared to those without such a history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that females were significantly less likely to have poor oral hygiene (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.32-0.77), whereas individuals with a history of infarction were more likely to have poor oral hygiene (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.03-2.57). CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of oral hygiene management in elderly individuals, particularly those with a history of cardiovascular events, as poor oral hygiene is linked to systemic conditions such as aspiration pneumonia. These findings support the promotion of dental check-up programs for the elderly, as part of broader efforts to enhance quality of life and prevent systemic diseases in aging populations.