Are Gum Disease and Heart Disease Connected?

Tools to protect your heart are probably sitting on your bathroom counter right now — and odds are you don’t even realize it. After all, we’re talking about your toothbrush and dental floss.

Surprised? That understandable. The connection seems pretty … well, odd and unusual. But research consistently shows an association between gum disease and increased risk for heart disease.

But to be clear, that doesn’t mean daily brushing and flossing alone can prevent a heart attack or stroke. Good oral hygiene can’t erase genetics or a lifetime of greasy double cheeseburgers.

But there’s a definite link between gum health and heart health, even if it’s not fully understood. Let’s find out more from cardiologist Christine Jellis, MD, and dentist Anne Clemons, DMD.

Inflammation: A common link

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to handle injuries, bacteria or illness. It’s how your body jumpstarts the healing process, whether for a sprained ankle, a paper cut or the common cold.

This type of “good” inflammation typically disappears quickly once the issue is addressed.

But sometimes, inflammation doesn’t just go away. It lingers and puts stress on your body. Chronic inflammation is a common factor in numerous health conditions — including gum disease and heart disease.

“Oral and heart disease can both be linked to chronic inflammation, so that’s always created the suspicion that there is a link between the two,” notes Dr. Jellis.

The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that chronic gum inflammation may be associated with higher blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

Additionally, in some situations where there’s a mouth infection or bleeding related to a dental procedure, bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to heart valves or other heart structures and cause endocarditis. (People with prosthetic heart valves are at the highest risk for this and are therefore advised to take preventive antibiotics before dental work.)

Related health factors

The overlap between gum disease and heart disease also might be explained by less-than-ideal lifestyle habits that fuel both conditions, says Dr. Jellis. The list includes:

• Unhealthy food. Filling your plate with high-sugar and high-fat foods can take a toll on your gums and heart over time. Making more nutritious choices, on the other hand, lowers your risk of issues.
• Alcohol consumption. Research shows that excessive or even regular consumption of alcohol can be harmful to both your heart and your gums.
• Smoking. Toxic chemicals in cigarettes harm just about every part of your body, including your heart and mouth. Research shows smoking is a major risk factor for both heart disease and gum disease.

What can you do?

Keeping up with your oral hygiene routine is a good place to start when it comes to trying to protect your heart through your gums.

That means brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, says Dr. Clemons. Need an incentive to brush for that long? Consider this: Researchers found that brushing less than that triples your risk of heart issues.

Flossing once a day is also critical to keep bacteria, tartar and plaque from building up along your gumline to invite infection.

Don’t forget about regular checkups with your dentist for an evaluation and professional cleaning either. One to two visits a year is generally recommended to keep tabs on your teeth and gums.

You can also take steps to limit gum disease and heart disease by:

• Quitting smoking.
• Drinking alcohol in moderation (or not at all).
• Consuming more fruits and vegetables and less high-sugar, high-fat foods.
• Exercising more. (Not a surprise for your heart, but research shows activity also can reduce gum disease risk.)
• Maintaining a healthy weight.

If you have a heart issue, talk to your dentist about it during checkups.

“So much in your body is surprisingly connected ­— and that includes your mouth and your heart,” says Dr. Clemons. “Taking care of one may help you take care of the other.”