Is it possible that poor oral health can lead to heart disease?

I believe poor oral health, such as not regularly brushing or flossing, is unlikely to be the primary cause of heart disease. Having said that, poor oral health along with other risk factors may contribute to heart disease…

Bacteria on your teeth and gums can in theory travel through the person’s bloodstream and attach to fatty plaques in the arteries, making the plaques become more swollen and inflamed. If under certain circumstances, one of the plaques bursts and causes a blood clot to form, the person can have a heart attack or even a stroke.

Santa Ana oral health and heart disease

Furthermore, it could become a case that swelling in gums lead to swelling in other parts of the body, including the arteries. The swelling can also contribute to heart disease.

The bottom line is that regardless of whether you have heart disease, it is very important to take care of the teeth and gums. The top 5 steps to good oral hygiene include:

  • Getting routine dental checkups
  • Brushing your teeth three times a day
  • Flossing your teeth on a daily basis
  • Replacing your toothbrush regularly
  • Eat healthy and non-acidic food
  • Drinking less sugary drinks and sodas