@article{Uyar_Sahin_Akpinar_Abacilar_Okur_Ozdemir_Ates_Yasa_2013, title={Does Oral Hygiene Trigger Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness?}, volume={16}, url={https://journal.hsforum.com/index.php/HSF/article/view/408}, DOI={10.1532/HSF98.20121137}, abstractNote={<p><b>Background and Purpose:</b> The aim of this study was to evaluate whether poor oral hygiene is associated with the intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries, which is one of the predictors of future progression of subclinical atherosclerosis.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> We selected 108 patients during periodontal examinations according to their oral hygiene. The patients had no history of atherosclerotic disease. The results of carotid artery B-mode ultrasonography examinations were analyzed at baseline and after a mean of 7.8 months. Patients were scored on the DMFT index for the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth (T). We also used the Silness-Loe plaque index (SLI) to evaluate oral hygiene and dental plaque. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to DMFT and SLI criteria. Group I had a DMFT index of 0 to 3 and an SLI score of 0 or 1; group II had a DMFT index of 4 to 28 and an SLI score of 2 or 3.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Dental status and oral hygiene were significantly associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness. Patients with increasing DMFT and SLI indices were correlated with intima-media thickness of the carotid artery.</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> Chronic poor oral hygiene and tooth loss are related to subclinical atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries and might be indicative of future progression of atherosclerosis.</p>}, number={4}, journal={The Heart Surgery Forum}, author={Uyar, Ihsan Sami and Sahin, Veysel and Akpinar, Mehmet Besir and Abacilar, Feyzi and Okur, Faik Fevzi and Ozdemir, Ugur and Ates, Mehmet and Yasa, Elif Filiz}, year={2013}, month={Aug.}, pages={E232-E236} }