{"id":19528,"date":"2022-02-24T15:07:13","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T20:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19528"},"modified":"2024-05-21T15:25:15","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T20:25:15","slug":"can-bad-dental-habits-cause-heart-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/can-bad-dental-habits-cause-heart-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Bad Dental Habits Cause Heart Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you brush and floss your teeth, you\u2019re not just preventing gum disease and tooth decay\u2014good oral hygiene can help to keep other body parts healthy as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, staving off severe <\/span>gum disease<\/span> could benefit your sexual health; A\u00a0<\/span>recent study done in Taiwan<\/span><\/a> showed a possible link between erectile dysfunction and <\/span>periodontal disease<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Good oral health can also help to keep your heart healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The connection between oral health and heart health<\/h2>\n

Oral health and heart health are more connected than you may think. If you\u2019re not brushing your teeth well enough, excess bacteria from your mouth could spread through your bloodstream to other parts of your body, including your heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bacteria that ends up in the heart can cause inflammation<\/span><\/a>, especially if it latches on to any compromised areas. That, in turn, could lead to <\/span>a condition known as endocarditis<\/span><\/a>, which is when the heart\u2019s inner lining becomes inflamed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChronic inflammation from gum infections and inflammation is associated with an increase in total body inflammation, which in turn is associated with vascular diseases including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and stroke,\u201d says Dr. John Higgins, a cardiologist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Sally Cram, of the American Dental Association, adds that poor dental hygiene can also affect<\/span> a person\u2019s ability to eat a heart healthy diet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can bad teeth cause heart problems?<\/h2>\n

While more research is needed, poor oral health care habits are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, <\/span>according to the Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPoor oral hygiene will lead to a buildup of calculus, causing your gums to inflame,\u201d says Dr. Jasmine Sung, a general dentist in private practice in Houston.<\/span><\/p>\n

And this can then raise the risk of a bacterial infection developing in the bloodstream. Bacteria can also prompt inflammation markers to rise, prompting more widespread inflammation across the body, including in the heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, certain patterns of tooth loss <\/span>are also linked to coronary artery disease.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cUntreated gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease which has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, pulmonary disease, and diabetes,\u201d says Higgins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will taking care of my teeth prevent heart disease?<\/h2>\n

Maintaining good oral hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing isn\u2019t a guaranteed way to prevent heart disease from developing, but it can\u2019t hurt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, <\/span>new, observational research on people\u2019s toothbrushing behavior<\/span><\/a> suggests that brushing your teeth two times a day for at least two minutes could lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. A <\/span>separate study<\/span><\/a> found that gum disease seems to interfere with hypertension medications and cause blood pressure to deteriorate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Anything that reduces inflammation in your body, such as good oral hygiene habits and regular dental checkups, may be beneficial in reducing your risk of heart disease,\u201d says Cram.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who is at<\/strong> risk?<\/h2>\n

People who have serious periodontal disease or persistent problems impacting their gums such as gingivitis, irritation, redness and swelling of the gums, are most at risk of having their dental problems impact their heart health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is especially true if you have an oral health issue that has not been addressed by a doctor. The bacteria causing inflammation in your mouth could travel through your bloodstream, sticking to your blood vessels and raising the risk of heart disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms and warning signs<\/h2>\n

If periodontitis, a gum infection that damages the soft tissue in the mouth, is not properly treated, it could even destroy the bone that holds the teeth in place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the common symptoms and warning signs of oral diseases such as periodontitis, include gums that are swollen, puffy, bright red or purple. Normal, healthy gums are typically pale pink and they\u2019re somewhat tight around the teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other warning <\/span>signs of gum disease<\/span><\/a> include <\/span>gums that hurt when you touch them or that bleed easily<\/span>, pain when chewing your food or persistent bad breath. Some people can also experience:<\/span><\/p>\n