Oral Health and Heart Disease: Is There a Link?

Photo by Superkitina

By Rohini Kundu

Is your bad oral hygiene routine silently spelling doom on your heart?
It is increasingly well-known that oral hygiene is essential to maintaining your overall health.
Neglecting your oral health and avoiding the dentist will damage your teeth and gums.
Now, studies show that they might also damage your heart.
Gum disease and inflammation are now associated with increased heart attacks and strokes.
More than 80 percent of Americans are living with periodontal disease and aren’t even aware of it. 

Read on to learn how to prevent gum infections from wreaking havoc on your heart. 

How is oral health related to heart health?

• ​Studies have found oral bacteria causing gingivitis can travel to blood vessels elsewhere, causing inflammation. It can lead to tiny blood clots and atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), usually followed by heart attack and stroke.
  
• Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism against infections. The body’s immune cells rush to infected cells and attack the microbial invaders, which fosters healing over time. However, chronic inflammation has been associated with several health issues, including atherosclerosis. 
• Atherosclerosis and gum disease also have several risk factors in common, such as diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, and smoking. Thus, people with poor oral hygiene, other health conditions, and chronic gum infections are at risk of developing heart disease in the long run. 

Who is at risk?
Those suffering from chronic gingivitis and periodontal disease are most at risk of heart disease.
The risk is more significant when these conditions go undiagnosed and unmanaged.

Some symptoms of periodontal disease are:

• Swollen, tender, and red gums 
• Gums that bleed frequently, especially during brushing and flossing
• Bad breath and a sour taste in the mouth
• Pus between teeth and gums
• Loose teeth

Even when you don’t have noticeable symptoms, poor oral hygiene can still put you at risk of developing gum disease and subsequent heart ailments. 

Treatment and prevention
Being proactive about oral hygiene is the best way to prevent gum disease and subsequent heart ailments. Brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and regular flossing will help maintain your oral health. Make sure to go to your dentist for regular cleanings. Quit smoking and maintain a healthy lifestyle to maintain oral and heart health. 

You can maintain a healthy lifestyle by:

• Cutting out processed food from your diet
• Including fresh fruits and vegetables
• Exercising for at least 20 minutes a day three times a week

​If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above of periodontal disease, consult your dentist urgently. 

Summary
Studies have found a link between poor oral hygiene and heart ailments. Oral bacteria can travel to blood vessels all over the body and cause infection in heart valves. These bacteria cause gum disease and inflammation. Chronic inflammation in the mouth can cause atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stroke. Smoking is another common cause that can cause both periodontal diseases and heart valve diseases. If you notice signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, such as swollen and bleeding gums, consult your dentist immediately. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being proactive about oral hygiene will protect your mouth and heart in the long run.

References
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0b013e31825719f3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8361186/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426403/