An assessment of oral prophylaxis in patients with myocardial infarction diagnosed by means of coronary angiography.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess oral prophylaxis in patients with myocardial infarction diagnosed by means of coronary angiography compared with a control group.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The participants were recruited from patients who had undergone coronary angiography in the Cardiology Department. The study included 128 patients - 68 patients in a study group with acute coronary syndrome diagnosed by means of coronary angiography (ACSgroup) as well as 60 patients in a control group in whom coronarography revealed no lesions in coronary arteries (H-group). A detailed clinical dental examination was performed. The level of oral prophylaxis was assessed for both groups. The following factors were considered: the frequency of dental visits per year, the regularity of dental care, the frequency of toothbrushing per day, dental flossing, rinsing with a mouthwash, the use of an irrigator, and the use of single-tuft and interdental toothbrushes.

RESULTS

Oral hygiene in the case of the study group was characterised by irregular dental care and inadequate hygiene procedures, with the exception of the use of an irrigator as well as single-tuft and interdental toothbrushes, where no statistically significant differences were noted between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The oral hygiene of patients from the ACS-group was poorer than in the case of the H-group and the difference was statistically significant.