Oral health and changes in lipid profile: A nationwide cohort study

Aim We aimed to investigate the association of periodontitis and oral hygiene indicators with changes in blood lipid parameters in a nationwide, population-based cohort in a longitudinal setting. Materials and methods We included nationwide health screening program participants who underwent oral health examination in 2009-2010 and follow-up examinations for lipid profile without exposure to lipid-lowering agents. Results During the 5.19-year median follow-up, 65,078 individuals (mean age at baseline examination: 55.41 +/- 7.30 years) underwent 286,218 health examinations. The prevalence of periodontitis was 39%. In the multivariate mixed model analysis, periodontitis and tooth loss were associated with decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (beta = -0.0066 mmol/L, standard error = 0.0026, p = .013) and increased triglyceride levels (beta=0.0307, mmol/L, standard error = 0.0049, p < .001), respectively. Compared with tooth brushing <= 1 time/day, tooth brushing >= 3 times/day was associated with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (beta = 0.0176 mmol/L, standard error = 0.0052, p = .006) and decreased triglyceride levels (beta = -0.0285 mmol/L, standard error = 0.0090, p = .001). Conclusions Periodontitis and tooth loss may be attenuating factors for blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, respectively. Frequent tooth brushing may improve dyslipidaemia, particularly blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Oral hygiene improvement may reduce the risk of dyslipidaemia.