Toothbrushing habits may be associated with several chronic disease outcomes, suggesting it could play a preventive role in overall systemic health. This study was recently published in BMC Oral Health.
However, more studies are needed to better understand the directionality and possible causal pathways associated with dental hygiene habits to systemic health outcomes, the authors wrote.
“Our findings highlight the potentially important role of tooth brushing and oral hygiene behavior in chronic disease prevention,” wrote the authors, led by Hee-Jung Park of Kangwon National University in South Korea (BMC Oral Health, June 8, 2025, Vol. 25, 943).
This study aimed to review existing evidence on the link between toothbrushing habits as an indicator of oral hygiene and major chronic health outcomes in adults. Researchers conducted a literature search across four databases on June 30, 2024. Of 142 full-text articles reviewed, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, they wrote.
The chronic health outcomes were grouped into five categories: cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease. These classifications were based on clinical definitions and prior literature standards.
Nine studies found that more frequent toothbrushing was linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, especially in large cohort studies. Additionally, two studies reported that frequent brushing was associated with a reduced risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, they wrote.
Furthermore, three studies showed a connection between infrequent brushing and higher rates of hypertension. Six studies consistently found that lower toothbrushing frequency was tied to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. For chronic kidney disease, one study reported a protective effect from brushing three or more times daily, but two others showed no significant association.
Nevertheless, the review had limitations. A meta-analysis was not possible due to significant methodological and clinical differences across the studies included, limiting comparability, the authors added.
“Further longitudinal and interventional research is warranted to clarify the temporal relationships, elucidate underlying biological mechanisms, and confirm causal pathways linking oral hygiene behavior to systemic health,” they concluded.
