You follow good oral hygiene practices by brushing and flossing your teeth daily to prevent cavities. What if you knew that taking care of your gums might also protect your heart and brain?
The relationship between oral health and heart health is more significant than many people realize. The link was first identified in the 1990s in the context of diabetes studies. Today, modern research supports this connection, especially related to heart and brain health.
Your Mouth: A Window to Your Overall Health
Think of your mouth as the gateway to your body. Your gum health can tell your dentist a lot about what might be happening in other areas of your body.
When you don’t brush and floss conscientiously, harmful bacteria build up along and below your gum line. Unfortunately, they don’t just stay in your mouth. These bacteria can enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body, potentially affecting your heart and brain.
The Stroke Connection You Need to Know About
Along the same lines, cavities could significantly increase your risk of a life-threatening stroke. Research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference examined data from over 6,500 people over 30 years.
In the first 15 years of the study, people with cavities showed a slightly higher stroke risk. In the second half of the study period, their risk increased dramatically. Those with cavities had 4.5 times higher risk of stroke from brain bleeding compared to those without cavities.
The likely culprit is a bacterium called Streptococcus mutans, the principal cause of dental cavities. Animal studies indicate this particular bacterium is linked to brain bleeds, and researchers continue working to better understand how it causes this damage in humans.
Why Flossing Might Save Your Life
If you're someone who skips the floss most nights, it might help to know that flossing at least once a week may lower your stroke risk. Recent findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities conducted surveys of more than 6,000 people over 25 years.
The results showed that flossing was associated with a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke and a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke, which is when blood clots travel from the heart to the brain. The study also found a 12% lower risk of atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder, among people who flossed regularly.
Understanding the Inflammation Connection
So how exactly does gum disease affect your heart? It comes down to inflammation, which is your body's natural response to infection or injury.
When bacteria build up around your teeth and below your gum line, your immune system responds with inflammation. If this inflammation becomes chronic (as it does with untreated gum disease), these markers become elevated throughout your entire body, not just in your mouth.
This situation creates what experts describe as a "one-two punch" for your cardiovascular system:
- The increased systemic inflammation puts stress on your blood vessels.
- Oral bacteria linked to gum disease enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums and potentially damage blood vessels directly.
Over time, these events can contribute to the development of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and stroke.
What This Means for Your Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
The goal is to disrupt the buildup of bacteria and reduce inflammation with daily brushing and cleaning between your teeth. Fortunately, you probably already have everything you need at home to protect your heart through oral health care.
Here's what you can do starting today:
- Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes. Be sure to brush along the gumline, not just the tooth surfaces.
- Floss or use another interdental cleaner at least once daily. This crucial step removes bacteria and food particles from places your toothbrush can't reach.
- Don't ignore bleeding gums. Bleeding gums are not normal and are actually your body's way of signaling inflammation.
When to See Your Fort Collins Dentist
If you experience any of the following symptoms, schedule a cleaning at Ryan Rush DDS:
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Spaces or “pockets” between your teeth and gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Loose teeth or changes in how your teeth fit together
Our approach to oral health considers how dental health impacts overall well-being. We're here to help you understand this connection and develop a care plan that protects your smile and your heart.
Contact Your Fort Collins Dentist
You don't need expensive supplements or a complicated health routine. Just a toothbrush, some floss, and a commitment to daily oral hygiene might be one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health.
Contact Ryan Rush DDS in Fort Collins at (970) 223-5393 to schedule your next dental checkup, so we can work together to keep both your smile and your heart healthy for years to come.