While we might not like to think about it, our mouths are filled with bacteria, some helpful and some harmful. Sometimes harmful bacteria can lead to gum infection, gum inflammation and tooth decay. These problems, although localized to the mouth, may affect other organ systems, including your heart and blood vessels.

Can poor dental hygiene cause heart problems?

Poor dental hygiene has an association with various forms of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, clogged arteries, and stroke. Many believe this association results from increased inflammation throughout the body that occurs in people with poorer oral hygiene. This is not a causal relationship, though; simply having poor dental hygiene does not mean that you will automatically have heart disease, or vice versa.

In 2018, a research study was presented at the American Heart Association’s Annual Scientific Sessions in Chicago. The findings suggested that brushing your teeth for at least two minutes and at least twice a day was associated with a lower risk of heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. In fact, the risk was reduced by more than 30 percent when compared to brushing less often and for less time.

Unfortunately, because of the way this study was designed, it is not possible to know with certainty that better oral hygiene directly led to better heart health. It is possible that those who took better care of their mouths also took better care of their heart, and that resulted in better outcomes.

Improve your oral health and heart health

One thing is clear though. Attending to your oral health by brushing regularly may have health benefits that extend beyond your mouth to include your heart and blood vessels. That seems like a big reward for little effort.

In addition to focusing more on your mouth, don’t forget there are other heart-healthy habits you can adopt.

All of these can improve your heart health, give you more energy, and help you feel your best. If you have heart issues, we can help. Learn more about the Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute.

For more health tips, visit our Lifespan Living health and wellness blog.

Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

The Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute at Rhode Island, The Miriam and Newport hospitals provides the highest level of diagnostic, interventional, surgical and rehabilitative cardiac care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our cardiovascular specialists work as a team, across all disciplines, combining their expertise to provide an individualized treatment plan for each patient.