Poor Oral Hygiene Is Risk Factor for IE

Background: Many credible organizations have been advocating that minimizing the amount and severity of dental-caused bacteremia acquired through daily eating and brushing is key to reducing the incidence of bacterial infective endocarditis (IE) in susceptible patients. Objective: To determine if oral hygiene is associated with IE among those at moderate risk for IE. Design: Case-controlled multicenter study. Methods: The study was conducted between 2016 and 2019. Patients whose cardiac status placed them at moderate risk of IE were included. Risk was established from cardiac ultrasound and American Heart Association criteria, excluding IE cases acquired from known IV drug use or nosocomial sources. The dental calculus and plaque index of 2 groups (one group with IE, and one without IE) on a scale of 0 to 3 were compared. Additional parameters including recent dental visits and smoking status were also noted. Results: 62 patients with IE, and 119 controls without IE with combined ave more...