Brush up on some healthy heart habits.
While poor oral hygiene is often linked to issues like tooth loss, gum disease and bad breath, experts warn it can also have a far-reaching impact on your entire well-being — including your heart.
And according to gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a not all that uncommon nighttime oral care habit could be increasing your chances of having a heart attack.
“If you don’t brush your teeth before sleep, you may be at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease,” Sethi warned his 497,000 followers on TikTok.
In the US, around 90% of adults aged 20 to 64 have tooth decay, while nearly half of people aged 45 to 64 are dealing with gum disease, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
As for children, nearly 40% have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten. The problem is even worse for kids from low-income households and certain minority groups, who are disproportionately affected by poor oral health.
Bacteria threatens more than your teeth
“Gum disease, which is a direct result of poor oral hygiene, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems,” Sethi said in his TikTok video, which has racked up nearly 630,000 views.
The culprit? Chronic inflammation.
There are a jaw-dropping 700 species of bacteria living in your mouth. Some of the biggest troublemakers team up to create a sticky substance called plaque that builds up on your teeth — one of the primary causes of gum disease.
That bacteria doesn’t stay put. It can slip into the bloodstream, spreading beyond your mouth and triggering chronic inflammation throughout your body.
Over time, Sethi said, that inflammation can damage your heart and blood vessels, increasing your chances of suffering a serious cardiovascular event.
In fact, people with gum disease are 28% more likely to suffer a heart attack than those with healthy teeth. They’re also twice as likely to experience a stroke, which could impair their vision and other bodily functions.
Earlier this year, a study linked flossing teeth at least once a week to a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke and 12% lower risk of AFib.
It doesn’t stop there. Some studies suggest that tooth decay and other oral infections in childhood could lead to clogged arteries down the road, according to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.
People with poor dental health as teens or young adults are also more likely to develop high blood pressure later in life, further straining the heart.
Brush your teeth, save your heart
“Studies show that people who brush their teeth regularly, along with getting dental cleanings, tend to have healthier hearts and a lower risk of heart disease,” Sethi said.
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Brushing, flossing and routine cleanings are essential for preventing the buildup of harmful bacteria and plaque — both of which lead to gum disease, tooth decay and other oral health problems that raise your risk of cardiovascular issues.
A 2018 study found that people who brushed less than twice a day for less than two minutes tripled their risk of heart attack, heart failure or stroke.
On the flip side, a 2019 study found those who brushed three or more times a day saw a 12% lower risk of heart failure and a 10% lower risk of atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat.
“Keeping up with your oral hygiene is one of the easiest ways to keep your heart healthy,” Sethi said.
Experts recommend brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day to eliminate plaque-forming bacteria. The general advice is to see your dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning, though this may vary based on your personal health needs.
Beyond brushing and flossing, there are other heart-healthy habits that also benefit your oral health. Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, and cut back on sugary and acidic foods and drinks to help protect your teeth and gums.
Keeping teeth healthy can also help lower your risk of developing dementia.
“The public needs to be more aware of the correlation between oral health and cognitive abilities,” Chia-Shu Lin, a professor in dentistry at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, told Newsweek last year.
“With dementia, patients deteriorate in self-caring ability,” explained Lin, whose findings were published in the journal Ageing Research Reviews.
“For example, patients with Alzheimer’s disease would feel difficulty in brushing their teeth, which further exacerbates oral health and cognitive function — such a deterioration in self-caring behavior may induce a ‘vicious cycle’ that exacerbates one’s already poor health in general.”
