Gum disease link to AFib and Ortner’s syndrome

[Slidingdoors99]

Dear Community, I know that this may only apply to a small number of people, but even if it just helps one person then it’s worth me sharing!

This is my theory, although it was also the opinion of the ENT consultant.

Due to covid, I missed dental and hygienist appointments, I then had periodontal disease (stage four)

At the same time I went into AFib for the first and only time and also at the same time my left vocal chord became paralysed.

I believe that the bacteria from my gums put me into AFib and caused the vocal chord paralysis. ENT consultant says that he thinks that my enlarged atrium squeezed my vagus nerve…..(Ortner’s syndrome)

My gums are now good (🙏) no AFib for six months and vocal chord back to normal! (🙏🙏) Coincidence? Cardiology think so!

As I said, maybe just useful to a few and just my theory….

[BobD Volunteer]

It is well known that gum disease can be catastrophic for hearts. Sounds like you were lucky as I know one young chap who spent six months in hospital with endocarditis following a botched wisdom tooth extraction due to tooth infection.

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to BobD]

Thank you for sharing that Bob. I hope that he’s ok now.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Slidingdoors99]

He recovered but never been the same or at least hadn't wwhen I last spoke to him. He was in the bed opposite me after one of my ablations and I used to pop up and see him everytime I went to Out patients

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to BobD]

😒 Oh dear. That’s awful about that poor man and how on earth was he supposed to know about the link.I didn’t know before…

For me, I know I’ll never know, but maybe if I’d flossed every day without fail….

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Slidingdoors99]

Until I moved down to Devon in 04 my wife and I had an NHS dentist and they never seem to treat gum problems or even suggested a hygienist. Been having three monthly hygienist visits under Denplan since but damage already done and many teeth barely hanging on. At least we haven't had cardiac infections as a result .

[secondtry]

Pretty sure there is a connection between mouth hygiene and AF from what I have read & experienced. Leading up to my diagnosis and after a number of episodes which I dismissed as a funny turn' I had 5 root fillings and didn't really believe in 6 monthly hygienist/check-ups or flossing. I was then 'caught', whilst vulnerable with AF, by a very expensive dentist that charged me £7K for a programme of onlays etc, too pricey but I am glad I had it done and I now have regular dentist visits elsewhere and have had no mouth problems since!

[Tryfan]

Think you are on to something. I also knew someone who caught, developed or however it arrives, endocarditis from gum problems. I also read from Australia that using mouthwash may, I stress may help prevent Covid taking hold. I have since Covid started used Listerine (other products are available) every night as a precaution.Has it worked, who can say, but so far so good.

[MarkS]

There's definitely a connection between AF and gum disease, for instance dental scaling reduces AF: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/234... There's also a connection between gum disease and dementia.

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to MarkS]

I didn’t know about the dementia connection. Thank you.

[Morzine]

My dentist makes me have antibiotics befire any cleaning is done. There’s a risk with bacteria and heart Sue

[Jetcat]

I once had a dental hygienist scrape around my gums actually just under the tooth surround with what looked like a large shaped hooked pin. The amount of blood that was present every time I rinsed was really surprising and it hurt like hell.! I later read in a magazine somewhere that this can release certain bacteria into your bloodstream which can attack the heart and valves. I have always declined to have it done since that. I just use good quality toothpaste with a good quality tooth brush. Sometimes I rinse with strong salty water now and and again too.👍

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to Jetcat]

Thanks sharing that. My gum disease happened because I didn’t floss between my teeth very often. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way! I had to have a long procedure of cleaning under my gums and it cost a bomb!

[Jetcat in reply to Slidingdoors99]

While the cleaning was going on I was sat there writhing about in pain as you do a man.!!!!! thinking this can’t really be doing me any good.? Just scraping my gums and digging around producing all this blood and pain.? My mouth looked like a butchers bin when I walked out.!! And I’m sure my hygienist got some sort of kick out of it too, watching me lifting off the chair in pain mumbling stop….stop….. stop…..it’s really hurting. When I finally regained consciousness and started breathing again I was told to go pay at the counter on your way out and I’ll see you in 6 months. I said yes you will only for a checkup though matey.!!!!

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to Jetcat]

😂😂😂 Seriously though… no pain, no gain!

[Jetcat in reply to Slidingdoors99]

No pain no gain.? I was traumatised for a week. They reduced a 6 ft muscular bloke to a quivering wreck In 30 minutes. 😂😂👍