How Cutting Corners on Dental Hygiene Can Mess With Your Heart

Skimping on brushing and flossing can lead to a lot more than just bad breath.

By Julia RiesMedically reviewed by Kevin S. Shah, MD

October 19, 2023

I’ll admit: I haven’t always been great about my dental checkups. Once upon a not-so-long-ago time, I’d shoot for a visit every couple of years instead of annually (the frequency the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises). Sure, my gums bled a bit during cleanings, and I’d lie about how frequently I flossed, but hey—don’t we all? Plus, I never had cavities and my X-rays were always normal.

That all changed a few years ago when my dentist told me about the scary connection between your mouth and heart: He explained that tons of evidence has emerged in recent years that links poor oral health—which includes things like tooth loss and gum disease—to chronic health conditions, like heart disease, heart failure, and type 2 diabetes.^1,2 In fact, people with periodontal (a.k.a. gum) disease—which usually happens when plaque builds up on your teeth after not brushing or flossing—are far more likely to have high blood pressure, high glucose and inflammation levels, and low levels of good cholesterol (which carries cholesterol from your blood back to your liver, where it’s flushed from the body), according to the American Heart Association.³

But wait, there’s more! People with periodontal disease also have a greater risk of having a stroke or heart attack, and even seemingly low-stakes issues like dry mouth are intertwined with a higher risk of death, in general. “Because of the link between periodontitis and heart disease, periodontitis should be taken very seriously and treated as early as possible,” Natalie Jeong, DMD, the chair of the periodontology department at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, tells SELF.

As someone with a family history of stroke and heart attack, this freaked me out a bit—and made me rethink my lackadaisical approach to dental care. If I want to keep my heart healthy, I have to keep my mouth in good shape too. Here’s why you really shouldn’t skimp on doing the same.

How oral health impacts your cardiovascular system

Scientists have a few theories as to why your teeth have such a ginormous impact on your cardiovascular system. First, the oral flora—the bacteria that live in and around your teeth, gums, and tongue—can move from your mouth and into your bloodstream—and therefore all around your body.² Some research shows they can set up shop in—and damage or infect—your cardiovascular tissues.⁴ That bacteria can build up into plaque and grow in your arteries, which might clog up your blood vessels and trigger clotting, Stacey Rosen, MD, a cardiologist and senior vice president of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health, tells SELF.⁵

Another problem with dirty teeth, according to Dr. Jeong? Inflammation. It can be triggered throughout your body—not just in your mouth—by oral conditions like gum disease or cavities. For example, when you have gum disease, your body produces inflammatory chemicals, which, like the bacteria, can circulate throughout your system, Dr. Rosen says. Why does this matter? Evidence suggests inflammation may be a triggering factor in the onset of metabolic syndrome, and heightened levels of these inflammatory markers are also closely linked to stroke and heart disease.^6,7 “It’s possible that inflammation in the gums sets off a cascade that, ultimately, sparks inflammation in the cardiovascular system,” says Dr. Jeong.

This is especially bad news if you already have heart problems. Systemic inflammation can speed up the development of atherosclerotic disease, a condition where your arteries thicken and harden, Dr. Rosen says. It may also contribute to clots and stroke.⁸ On the flip side, if you have periodontal disease, brushing your teeth twice a day can help reduce overall inflammation and boost your vascular function.⁹ (As a result, your risk of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease will also likely go down, research suggests.⁴)

Another theory: Oral health problems are thought to impact parts of your immune system—specifically, your T cells and B cells—that can mess with your body’s ability to fight infections, among other body processes.^2,10 The immune responses triggered by periodontitis, for example, have been linked to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, Dr. Rosen shares.²

How to protect your teeth—and, ultimately, your heart

The good news: There’s a lot you can do to keep your teeth (and, by association, heart) healthy. The not-so-amazing news: Some people are genetically predisposed to both oral and cardiac diseases.¹⁰ But even in that case, genetics aren’t destiny: “Now that we know there’s a strong genetic link, patients with periodontitis should try to reduce their risk factors and take preventive measures at an early stage,” Dr. Jeong says.

So even if you’re more likely to have heart or oral issues, most of the risk factors shared between both—like smoking, consuming a ton of sugar, and (of course) neglecting to brush and floss—are in your control. This is all to say: Keep your mouth clean. Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day and floss daily (you can do it—we believe in you!). Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you have dental insurance or can afford to pay out of pocket, aim to go to the dentist every six months. (You can also find less costly dental care at community health centers, dental schools, or clinical trials—and here’s a SELF guide to taking great care of your teeth without insurance.) Talk to your primary care doctor or dentist about any medications you take—some, like antihistamines or antidepressants, can cause dry mouth and contribute to tooth and gum decay along with fungal infections.¹¹

Looks aside, be aware of how your mouth feels and tastes too. Bad breath and swollen gums can signal gum disease, Dr. Jeong says. If anything feels off, schedule an appointment with a dentist. It’s easy to avoid check-ups or forget to brush and floss from time to time (as I can attest!), but keep in mind: The little things you do today can make a really lasting impact, so take care of your chompers as best you can.

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