*Updated September 2025
Did you know your heart and your smile are more connected than you might think?
Taking care of your teeth isn’t just about avoiding cavities. Having good oral health also plays a role in keeping your heart healthy. Your body’s systems work together in surprising ways, and your oral health is a bigger part of the picture than most people realize.
Even though they seem unrelated, research continues to show a strong link between heart health and dental disease, particularly gum disease. Understanding this connection not only enhances our approach to oral care but also sheds light on the broader implications for overall health.
Understanding the connection between heart health and dental disease
On the surface, heart health and dental disease might not seem to be connected. Yet, the state of your oral health has far-reaching effects.
An article published in the academic journal Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine states that “Cardiovascular disease is relatively common in patients with periodontal disease, and an increased risk of CVD is associated with periodontal disease independent of sex.”
The study suggests that the increased cardiovascular risk associated with gum disease is largely due to systemic inflammation. Inflammation in the gums may serve as a marker for inflammation occurring elsewhere in the body, including within the cardiovascular system.
Additionally, harmful bacteria from infected gum tissue can enter the bloodstream, potentially traveling to the heart. In some cases, this can result in serious conditions such as endocarditis, particularly in individuals with pre-existing heart valve issues.
One of the best ways to keep gum disease in check early is to see your dentist regularly. Dentists are able to identify signs of the dental disease and treat it before it becomes more severe.
Heart health and dental disease: Beyond gum disease
Gum disease isn’t the only dental condition that may increase your risk of developing cardiac problems. A study published in the Internal Medicine Journal found that dry mouth, commonly known as xerostomia, is also often associated with cardiometabolic disease.
The study suggests that people with dry mouth are at a higher risk of heart problems because “Hyposalivation results in reduced bacterial clearance, thereby contributing indirectly to an increased risk for periodontitis.”
As mentioned above, periodontitis is a strong risk factor for cardiac disease. Therefore, dry mouth and other oral health problems that may lead to gum disease may inadvertently put you at a higher risk of a cardiac event.
A healthy heart and a healthy smile go hand in hand
Keeping track of your heart health and dental disease progress is an important step in maintaining and improving your quality of life. Regular dental visits and early treatment of gum disease not only support oral health but may also reduce the risk of cardiac events by addressing inflammation before it affects other parts of the body.
Don’t wait! Schedule an appointment with your dentist today to keep your smile and heart healthy!
