Did you know that heart disease and oral health are linked? There are two different connections between heart disease and your oral health:
Studies have shown that people with moderate or advanced gum (periodontal) disease are more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy gums. This is the Heart and Mouth Connection.
Oral health holds clues to overall health. Studies have shown that oral health can provide warning signs for other diseases or conditions, including heart disease.
Because the mouth is a pathway to the body, people who have chronic gum disease are at a higher risk for heart attack, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Gum disease (called gingivitis in its early stages and periodontal disease in the late stages) is caused by plaque buildup.
Some researchers have suggested that gum disease may contribute to heart disease because bacteria from infected gums can dislodge, enter the bloodstream, attach to blood vessels and increase clot formation. It has also been suggested that inflammation caused by gum disease may also trigger clot formation. Clots decrease blood flow to the heart, thereby causing an elevation in blood pressure and increasing the risk of a heart attack.
Studies have not established that either heart disease or gum disease causes the other. This is a difficult task because many of the risk factors for gum disease are the same as those for heart disease:
More than 90 percent of all systemic diseases — including heart disease — have oral symptoms, research suggests. Also, dentists can help patients with a history of heart disease by examining them for any signs of oral pain, infection or inflammation. According to the AGD, proper diagnosis and treatment of tooth and gum infections in some of these patients have led to a decrease in blood pressure medications and improved overall health.
Gum disease affects 80 percent of American adults, according to the AGD. Warning signs that you may have gum disease include:
Although gum disease seems to be associated with heart disease, more studies are needed before we can say with certainty what the relationship is. Research has not shown that treatment for one of these diseases will help control the other, but we do know that regular dental checkups, professional cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices can improve oral health and that good oral health contributes to good overall health.
While regular dental exams and cleanings are necessary to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar and detect early signs of gum disease, you can play a significant role in preventing gum disease:
Brush for two to three minutes, twice a day, with fluoridated toothpaste. Be sure to brush along the gumline.
You can do the following if you have heart disease.
Establish and maintain a healthy mouth. Brush and floss daily and visit your dentist regularly.
Make sure your dentist knows you have a heart problem, and share your complete medical history, including any medications you are currently taking.
Carefully follow your physician’s and dentist’s instructions about health care, including using prescription medications, such as antibiotics, as directed.
Information courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry.
The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Last updated: May 2011
