Numerous studies have proven the connection between oral health and heart disease. This connection is not surprising. The oral environment is not isolated from the rest of the body.

“Teeth, gums and the bone that holds the tooth roots are nourished by the blood circulating in the entire body. You can imagine that if you have tartar around the tooth, the gum is inflamed or the bone is damaged as a result of an inflammatory process (a cavity or some periodontal problem), this blood will also circulate in the rest of the body, – Dr Manol Ivchev explains. – Thus, the blood flow from the diseased area reaches the kidneys, continues to the liver, even reaches the legs. In this way, an inflammation that is strongly expressed in the oral environment can migrate to the rest of the body.”

Therefore, it is not strange that if the oral cavity is inflamed, we observe increased blood indicators related to inflammatory processes. Since the heart is an organ that is very dependent on good blood, it suffers from any inflammatory component in the body.

This just proves once again that taking care of our oral health means taking care of our overall health.

How to improve dental health and help our hearts function well

• Dental care starts with oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. This removes bacteria and plaque, and prevents tartar and inflammation.
• Ensure a healthy diet rich in diverse nutrients. Reduce the intake of processed carbohydrates. These are usually found in foods with added sugar, processed cereals, and confectionery.
• It is highly recommended to avoid not only smoking, but also other tobacco products, including chewing tobacco, vaping, etc. They affect not only the lungs but also gum health.
• Consult your dentist for individual recommendations for your dental health. Tell them if you have other health problems so that they can assess whether and how these problems affect each other and how you can help resolve them through dental care.
• Do not miss preventive examinations with your dentist. It is best to have them at least twice a year, but in any case not less than once a year.
• Do not stop prescribed treatment without consulting your doctor, and do not prescribe treatment yourself, including dietary supplements. If you experience any worrying side effects, share this with your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions concerning dental health and the heart

Can a tooth infection destroy the heart?

Some bacteria that live in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, including the heart. For example, bacteria from the Streptococcus viridans group can cause endocarditis – a disease in which the inner lining of the heart, the endocardium, becomes inflamed. Therefore, inflammation in the mouth should not be ignored and requires prompt treatment.

Is there a specific tooth that is “connected” to the heart?

While there are theories that each tooth is connected to a specific organ, there is no solid scientific evidence to support this. Instead, in dental medicine it is believed that dental health is directly related to the overall health of the human body.

Are gums related to heart health?

There may be a connection. Chronic inflammation of the gums may be related to other chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease. Studies have shown that gum inflammation may also be connected with other diseases, such as high blood pressure. Bleeding gums may be related to systolic blood pressure (the higher of the two numbers used to measure blood pressure).

So it is not an exaggeration to say that patients with heart disease are more likely to suffer from oral conditions.

What are the signs that gum inflammation could be dangerous for your heart?

• Bleeding gums while brushing. If after careful massaging this condition does not go away within 14 days, you can consult a dentist.
• Persistent bad breath.
• Receding gums, exposing the roots of the teeth.
• Swollen, painful, very red gums.
• Tooth loss; etc.

Each of these symptoms can lead to, but may not be indicative of, another condition. If you have concerns, do not hesitate to make an appointment for a consultation with a specialist.