Gabe Sanders PhD, NSCA-CSCS
Many Americans understand that eating unhealthy greasy foods high in saturated fat combined with a sedentary lifestyle can cause or contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. Eating a well- balanced, healthy diet that consist of fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly are ideal ways to combat the development of cardiovascular disease. If you believe these are the only ways to reduce your risk of heart disease, you are wrong, there is more you can do.
A clean mouth contributes to a clean heart
Brush and floss your teeth, then rinse with mouthwash! That’s right, many health practitioners and researchers believe that a clean mouth may contribute to a clean heart. Their belief is based on research and data that suggests poor oral hygiene is associated with cardiovascular disease, more specifically atherosclerosis. While there is a link between oral health and heart health, researchers are not confident enough to say with certainty that poor oral hygiene is the main cause of atherosclerosis or other forms of heart diseases. However, they do believe there is a link between the two and caution should be exercised to people with poor oral hygiene that also live a sedentary lifestyle.
How could failing to brush my teeth lead to heart disease?
Failing to brush or clean your teeth can lead to periodontal bacterial infections and result in an inflammatory response that speeds up the process of blocking arteries in your heart. You should also be aware that the periodontal disease known as gingivitis can aid in the development of cardiovascular disease. Gingivitis is a gum disease that is caused by a bacterial infection, which results in tooth decay if left untreated. The gingivitis infection can lead to an arteriole inflammation in the cardiac tissue and therefore blocking arteries, a common characteristic of atherosclerosis.
The bright side to this research is that most periodontal diseases are preventable by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing regularly, and rinsing your mouth or dentures with antibacterial mouthwash. Even cleaning your dentures with antibacterial soap has been found to significantly reduce your risk of a bacterial infection in your mouth. Regardless of you age, it’s never too late to regularly clean your teeth and mouth. Improving your oral hygiene will not only leave you with a pretty smile, it may help your heart!
Article’s Resources
Dhadse P, Gattani D, Mishra R. The link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease: How far we have come in last two decades? Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology. 2010;14(3): 148–154.