[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/oral-health-and-heart-health-whats-the-connection\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/oral-health-and-heart-health-whats-the-connection\/","headline":"Oral Health and Heart Health – What\u2019s the Connection?","name":"Oral Health and Heart Health – What\u2019s the Connection?","description":"Linking oral & heart health: Discover how gum disease may elevate cardiovascular risks and the importance of dental care in preventing heart issues.","datePublished":"2023-02-15","dateModified":"2026-03-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/author\/jeremy\/#Person","name":"Jeremy Johnson","url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/author\/jeremy\/","identifier":2,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4feffc5d95566eb3f006763a94fe8101092a8fd889afeafb3ded33b6b5e5cb88?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4feffc5d95566eb3f006763a94fe8101092a8fd889afeafb3ded33b6b5e5cb88?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Today's Dental","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/td-logo.png","url":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/td-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/heart-health-oral-health-connection.jpg","url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/heart-health-oral-health-connection.jpg","height":350,"width":700},"url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/oral-health-and-heart-health-whats-the-connection\/","about":["Dental Hygiene","Gum Health","Oral Hygiene"],"wordCount":702,"articleBody":"You may have heard there is a connection between the health of your teeth and gums and the health of your heart \u2013 but why? In this post, we\u2019ll explore what is known about the connections between the two and share what you can do to help prevent problems.\u00a0\u00a0There have been many studies to explore the connection between oral health and heart health. This study from Harvard Health states: \u201cpeople with periodontal (gum) disease have two to three times the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular event\u201d. Those are startling statistics, for sure. However, as the article points out, not everyone with gum disease will develop cardiovascular problems. That raises the question of whether oral health is an independent risk factor for heart disease, or is it just part of the equation? The answer is, we don\u2019t really know.\u00a0\u00a0Researchers at Harvard\u2019s Forsyth Institute believe having gum disease increases inflammation in your body. We do know increased inflammation is likely linked to cardiovascular disease. So far, studies have not been able to establish a direct causative relationship between poor oral health and cardiovascular events. This is because most people with poor oral health also have other risk factors for poor heart health, making it difficult to know which of their individual risk factors directly caused their heart disease.\u00a0\u00a0On February 8, 2023, the American Stroke Association (ASA) presented preliminary research at the International Stroke Conference. This research seems to indicate gum disease, missing teeth, or other oral health issues can increase stroke risk. Their analysis of the study showed the MRI reports for people with overall poor oral health showed more damage to the \u201cfine architecture of the brain\u201d, which can increase a person\u2019s risk for stroke. The article states this research is intriguing but like other studies on the link between oral and cardiovascular health, does have some limitations. Thus, the ASA also recommends further research should be done to find out the exact link between the two conditions.\u00a0\u00a0Bacteria from the mouth have been found in plaques found in people\u2019s arteries, which points to the fact that the bacteria can travel from the mouth to other parts of our body. There is a condition called \u201cendocarditis\u201d which is a bacterial infection of the inner lining of the heart. Endocarditis can be caused by bacteria found in your mouth. Those at high risk for endocarditis or who have other serious heart conditions need to be particularly vigilant with their oral health. In some cases, a dentist may even have high-risk patients take a preventative dose of antibiotics before any sort of dental procedure. If you have a history of heart problems, make sure you share a thorough health history with your dentist. Always visit with your doctor to find out if you are someone who requires a course of antibiotics before a dental procedure.\u00a0\u00a0There is enough evidence out there to show a likely correlation between our oral health and heart health. ASA study author Cyprien Rivier, M.D., M.S., a postdoctoral fellow in neurology at the Yale School of Medicine, recommends people pay close attention to their oral health. He said, \u201cStudying oral health is especially important because poor oral health happens frequently and is an easily modifiable risk factor \u2013 everyone can effectively improve their oral health with minimal time and financial investment.\u201d More studies need to be done to show whether poor oral health is a direct, standalone cause of problems with the heart or just one of a combination of risk factors that contribute to heart disease.\u00a0\u00a0To help manage your risks, experts from Today\u2019s Dental recommend professional dental care every six months, brushing at least twice a day, regular flossing of your teeth, and ensuring your dentures fit properly to keep bacteria from building up. Maintaining good oral health is a cost-effective way to manage one of the known risk factors for serious heart problems. If you have any questions about the link between oral health and cardiovascular health, feel free to reach out to your Today\u2019s Dental office to learn more.Unlock a Heart-Healthy Smile: Dive into Dental Wellness at Today\u2019s DentalContact Us"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Oral Health and Heart Health – What\u2019s the Connection?","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/oral-health-and-heart-health-whats-the-connection\/"}]}]