Protect your heart by caring for your smile

When it comes to heart health, the mouth is often overlooked. But growing evidence suggests that oral health—particularly gum health—may play an important role in cardiovascular disease risk.

Periodontitis, or severe gum infection, is a known heart disease risk factor that can be prevented or alleviated through proper oral health care, said Carlos Parra, DDS, clinical assistant professor in periodontics at the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas. He said robust evidence points to a link between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease.

The connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been studied for decades, though it has gained more interest in recent years. However, most evidence is based on observational studies. Longitudinal studies—which make comparisons showing cause and effect over a long time—have been limited.

“Inadequate oral health, as well as other systemic and local factors, leads to periodontal disease—that is, gingivitis and/or periodontitis—which increases the body’s inflammatory burden,” Parra said. “This inflammation is caused mainly from the own host that is trying to fight the bacteria and its byproducts found on the plaque and calculus buildup on the teeth. This inflammatory burden appears to be one of the main links in this relationship.”

According to Parra, maintaining periodontal health starts with prevention, including dental checkups every six months and practicing good oral hygiene—brushing two to three times each day and flossing daily. Not smoking, eating a healthy diet and fostering balanced lifestyle habits also help.

“Although prospective randomized controlled periodontal intervention studies where patients with both periodontal disease and CVD have received periodontal treatment are lacking, observational evidence suggests that several oral health interventions—including self-performed oral hygiene habits, dental prophylaxis, increased dental visits and periodontal treatment—produce a reduction in the incidence of CVD,” Parra said.

He noted that contributors to periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are often shared, such as smoking or diabetes.

“Recent research points toward inflammation as the key factor linking periodontal disease and other systemic diseases,” Parra said.

According to a 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, about 42% of American adults 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. The CDC also reports that about 5% of adults 20 years and older have coronary artery disease. While deaths related to cardiovascular disease—including all heart disease and stroke—are declining, it still leads as cause of death in the United States, according to a recent report by the American Heart Association.

Taking care of your oral health goes beyond fresh breath and white teeth—it’s vital for your overall health and wellness. Simple steps like brushing and flossing regularly, along with regular dental check-ups, can prevent gum disease and even lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. By making oral health a priority, you can help prevent disease, protect your long-term health and potentially expand your life expectancy.