How Your Oral Health May Affect Your Heart Health
Wellness & SelfcareHeart Health

The Surprising Link Between Oral Health and Heart Health

The Surprising Link Between Oral Health and Heart Health
Everyday Health
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Published on August 20, 2026
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Brushing and flossing your teeth can do more than just prevent cavities. They may also help protect your heart.

Over the past two decades, researchers have found that people with gum disease are more likely to develop conditions such as heart disease and stroke, possibly because chronic inflammation and bacteria from infected gums may contribute to damage in the blood vessels that affect heart health.

If you have oral health issues, you may also want to monitor your heart health more closely, says Justin Zachariah, MD, MPH, an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and a member of the American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts science advisory group.

How Your Mouth Affects Heart Health

There are more than 700 species of bacteria in the mouth, which are cordoned off from the rest of the body by the gumline.

 When plaque builds up, bacteria can breach the gumline and enter the bloodstream, which may cause inflammation in the blood vessels and harm your heart.

“The relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease is complex and linked through chronic inflammation,” says Vincent J. Iacono, DMD, the SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and Chair of the department of periodontics and endodontics at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in New York.

Risk Factors for Gum Disease and Heart Disease

Many of the same habits and health conditions that increase your risk of gum disease can also raise your risk of heart disease. Some of these risk factors include:

  • A High-Sugar Diet Sugary foods and drinks help feed the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

     Over time, an unhealthy diet can also contribute to obesity, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis, which are all major risk factors for heart disease.

  • Smoking and Tobacco Use Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for severe gum disease because it damages gum tissue and impairs healing.

     It's also a leading cause of heart disease, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke by damaging blood vessels and accelerating plaque buildup.

  • Diabetes High blood sugar increases the risk of infections, including periodontitis, while untreated gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control.

     Diabetes is also a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

  • Obesity Excess body fat promotes chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body, increasing the risk of both gum disease and cardiovascular disease.

Signs Your Oral Health Needs Attention

Many oral health problems develop gradually, making them easy to overlook. If you’re experiencing some of these symptoms, you may want to talk to your doctor or dentist.

  • Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Receding gums
  • A persistent dry mouth

Persistent bleeding is often one of the earliest signs of gingivitis or gum disease. “A poor oral hygiene regimen that leads to bleeding gums is a warning sign you shouldn’t ignore,” says Dr. Iacono.

“When in doubt, go for help and do not ignore symptoms,” says Dr. Zachariah. “The faster treatment is started, the better the outcomes.”

Simple Habits for a Healthier Mouth and a Stronger Heart

Protecting your mouth and heart doesn't always require two separate strategies. Many of the same everyday habits that keep your teeth and gums healthy also support your cardiovascular system.

More good news: “Even modest improvements in these areas can prevent heart disease events,” says Zachariah.

Keep Plaque Under Control

Removing plaque before it builds up is one of the most effective ways to prevent gum disease. To help do that:

Eat to Support Your Mouth and Heart

A balanced diet helps nourish your teeth and gums while supporting healthy blood vessels, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

  • Limit sugary foods and drinks.
  • Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
  • Eat foods that contain probiotics and prebiotics.

Take Care of Your Whole Body

Lifestyle habits and chronic health conditions that affect your overall health can also influence your risk of gum disease. Zachariah offers the following suggestions:

  • Eat more fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, and seeds.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Manage diabetes and blood pressure.
  • Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.
  • Stay physically active.

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Elizabeth Simpson, DDS

Elizabeth V. Simpson, DMD

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Elizabeth V. Simpson, DMD, is an associate dentist with Meridian Health Services in Indiana and adjunct faculty at the Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis. The b...

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Cathy Garrard

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Cathy Garrard is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing and editing health content. Her work has appeared in print and online for clients such as UnitedHealt...
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Resources
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