You’re cutting back on salt. You’re avoiding fried foods. You’ve even started walking 10,000 steps a day (okay, maybe 6,000—but it’s uphill both ways). You’re doing all the right things to protect your heart… but have you been to the dentist lately?
Wait, what?
Yep. You read that right.
If you’re serious about your heart health, it might be time to start thinking about your gums.
Research over the last two decades has shown that oral health, especially periodontal (gum) disease, is closely linked to heart health. The same inflammatory processes that cause gum disease can contribute to atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream, triggering inflammation in blood vessels and potentially promoting heart disease. So yes, brushing your teeth might actually help save your heart.
The Mouth-Heart Connection 🦷❤️
Scientists used to treat the mouth like a separate system—one that existed from the teeth up and had nothing to do with the rest of your body. Turns out… that was a big mistake.
Your gums are loaded with blood vessels, and when they’re inflamed (as in gum disease), bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream. Once inside, these bacteria and the inflammation they trigger may contribute to atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fatty plaque inside your arteries.
Sound familiar? Plaque on your teeth. Plaque in your arteries. Not a coincidence.
A growing body of research links periodontal disease to:
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke
• Heart attacks
• High blood pressure
In fact, studies have shown that people with moderate to severe gum disease are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack, compared to those with healthy gums.
But How Exactly?
Here’s how it plays out:
1. Poor oral hygiene → Plaque builds up on teeth → Gums get infected (periodontitis).
2. Inflammation sets in and becomes chronic.
3. Bacteria and inflammatory chemicals travel through the bloodstream.
4. They irritate blood vessel walls and promote atherosclerotic plaque formation.
5. That plaque can restrict blood flow—or worse, rupture and cause a heart attack.
Fun, right?
The Good News: You Can Floss Your Way to Better Heart Health
Okay, okay—we’re not saying flossing is a miracle cure. But regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings may reduce systemic inflammation and help your cardiovascular system stay cleaner, calmer, and clearer.
A 2021 study in Hypertension found that treating gum disease could even lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. That’s not just dental trivia—that’s life-saving potential.
So What Should You Do?
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily (yes, even the back molars you pretend don’t exist).
- Get a professional cleaning every 6 months—or more often if your dentist recommends it.
- If your gums bleed, swell, or feel tender—don’t ignore it. That’s inflammation waving a red flag.
- And if you already have heart disease? Let your dentist know. You may need antibiotics before procedures to prevent infection.
Final Thought from Dr. Bea Well:
“An ounce of prevention beats a bypass surgery. And a little floss beats a lot of pharmaceuticals. You don’t have to choose between your smile and your heart—turns out, they’re on the same team.”
So go ahead—book that dental cleaning. Your gums (and your arteries) will thank you.
