Poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of Menière’s disease
The connection between oral health and Menière’s disease
A new study from South Korea shows that poor oral health may be a significant risk factor for developing Menière’s disease, a disorder that affects the inner ear and causes severe dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and fullness of hearing. or feeling of blockage in the ear.
The study, conducted by Jung-Hyun Park and colleagues at Mokdong Hospital in Seoul, was published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine.
Study details
The study analyzed data from 2.24 million adults who underwent oral health examinations by dentists in 2003.
With a median follow-up of 16.7 years, researchers found that 5.0% of participants developed Menière’s disease.
Key findings
Poor oral health: People with periodontitis had an 18% higher risk of developing Menière’s disease.
Tooth loss: People with 15 or more missing teeth had a 25% increased risk of developing Menière’s disease.
On the other hand, better oral hygiene appeared to reduce the risk. Those who brushed their teeth at least three times a day or had tartar buildup in the past year had lower rates of Menière’s disease.
Factors such as age and body mass index (BMI).
Interestingly, the study found that poor oral health had a greater impact on younger individuals and those with a low BMI.
While both Menière’s disease and periodontitis are less common in these groups, it appears that systemic inflammation from periodontitis may significantly influence the development of Menière’s disease in them.
Implications and future research
This study highlights the importance of maintaining good oral health as a preventive measure against conditions such as Menière’s disease.
In addition, it is recommended that healthcare professionals should consider the state of oral health when assessing the risk of Menière’s disease, especially in younger individuals and those with low BMI.
Further research is needed to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying the association between oral health and Menière’s disease.
Nevertheless, these results add to the growing body of evidence that oral health has profound effects on overall well-being.
So the next time you’re thinking about skipping your dental exam or not brushing your teeth, remember that your oral health can have effects that extend beyond your mouth.
If you care about oral health, please read Studies on Scientists Find New Cause of Tooth Decay and Findings on a Common Diabetes Drug That Shows Promise for Treating Gum Disease.
For more information on dental health, read studies on how to effectively combat gum disease at home and insights on the best foods for teeth and gum health.
The research results can be found in the Journal of Personalized Medicine.
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