The question of whether your teeth are connected to your heart receives a complex answer from medical science. While there is no direct physical connection, research has established a significant systemic health link between the oral cavity and the heart. This relationship centers on the state of your gums, as chronic infections in the mouth can affect the entire body. Neglecting oral health may increase the risk for serious cardiovascular events.
Understanding the Systemic Connection
The mouth acts as a gateway to the rest of the body, and gum health often reflects the body’s overall inflammatory status. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition that progresses in stages. The milder form, gingivitis, involves gum redness, swelling, and bleeding due to plaque buildup.
If untreated, gingivitis advances to periodontitis, where inflammation causes gums to pull away from the teeth, leading to bone loss and potential tooth loss. This persistent localized infection establishes a recognized correlation with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This association is bidirectional: poor oral health can negatively affect the heart, and shared risk factors can increase susceptibility to gum disease.
The Role of Inflammation and Bacteria
The mechanism linking chronic gum infection to heart problems operates primarily through two pathways: systemic inflammation and the spread of oral bacteria.
Systemic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation in the gums constantly releases inflammatory mediators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukins, into the bloodstream. These chemical messengers travel throughout the body, contributing to widespread, low-grade systemic inflammation. This persistent inflammatory state contributes to pathology far from the original site of infection in the mouth.
Bacterial Spread
The second pathway involves the physical movement of bacteria from the mouth into the circulation. Periodontitis causes the gum tissue barrier to break down, allowing oral pathogens to enter the bloodstream during daily acts like chewing or brushing (transient bacteremia). Specific bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, are implicated in this process.
Once in the bloodstream, these bacteria or their byproducts, like lipopolysaccharide (LPS), can injure the lining of blood vessels (vascular endothelium). This damage triggers an inflammatory reaction within the arterial walls. Scientists have detected the DNA of oral bacteria within atherosclerotic plaque removed from affected arteries.
Heart Conditions Linked to Gum Disease
The chronic inflammatory burden and circulating bacteria from gum disease contribute to the development and progression of specific heart conditions.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a significant outcome, involving the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup. Systemic inflammation originating in the gums accelerates the formation of this plaque. This accumulation restricts blood flow and increases the risk of blood clots, which cause heart attacks and strokes. Individuals with periodontitis have a two to three times higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular event compared to those with healthy gums.
Infective Endocarditis
A separate, severe complication is infective endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart. Bacteria that enter the bloodstream from infected gums can travel to the heart and colonize damaged or abnormal heart valves. This creates bacterial growths called vegetations, leading to valve damage and potential heart failure.
Protecting Your Oral and Cardiovascular Health
Since the link between oral and heart health is substantial, proactive steps for your mouth are an important part of a comprehensive health strategy. The simplest and most effective defense involves rigorous daily oral hygiene, including brushing twice a day and flossing daily to remove plaque and prevent the initial stages of gum disease. Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings are necessary for identifying and treating gingivitis before it progresses to periodontitis.
Prompt treatment of existing periodontitis, through procedures like scaling and root planing, can reduce the overall inflammatory markers circulating in the body. This reduction in systemic inflammation helps offset the chronic burden that negatively affects the arteries and heart. For individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, such as those with artificial heart valves or a history of endocarditis, communication between medical and dental providers is necessary. Patients at risk for infective endocarditis may need to receive antibiotics before certain dental procedures to prevent the entry of bacteria into the bloodstream.