Research has shown that periodontal or gum disease can increase the risk of heart disease. A build-up of plaque, a sticky film containing bacteria, on and around the teeth causes this infection and inflammation of the gums, or the tissues that hold your teeth together.
Chronic inflammation has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.It is important to brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. Regular dental cleanings have been shown to help prevent more significant and costly health challenges for those with heart disease.
The connection between gum disease and heart disease is not entirely clear. Research has shown that oral bacteria that cause gum disease can spread outside the mouth and contribute to other health problems.
The spread of this bacteria can increase inflammation throughout the body. Chronic low-grade inflammation has been shown to increase the risk of many health conditions, including heart disease.
Some evidence suggests that gum disease can also negatively affect blood pressure. Gum disease can also affect medications that treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
High blood pressure can increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
Risk factors
Gum disease significantly increases the risk of heart disease caused by poor oral health. Hygiene can also affect your risk, even if you don’t have gum disease. Some evidence suggests that people who brush their teeth less than twice a day or for less than two minutes have a higher risk of heart disease.
The risk of oral health problems also increases with age. Many medications reduce saliva flow, contributing to dry mouth and tooth decay. Aging also comes with a higher risk of gum disease.
Poor oral health is also linked to a number of other conditions, such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease: Gum disease is linked to Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common type of dementia. Research has shown that oral bacteria can travel into the blood and spread to the brain.
- diabetes: Oral bacteria can raise blood sugar and make managing diabetes more difficult. Uncontrolled diabetes, in turn, can worsen oral health.
- Cancer: Inflammation caused by oral bacteria has been shown to increase the risk of oral cavity, head and neck, lung and pancreatic cancer.
- Endocarditis: This is inflammation and infection of the tissue that lines the inside of the heart. Oral bacteria that spread into the blood can reach the heart and cause endocarditis.
- Pneumonia: Oral bacteria can spread to the respiratory system and cause pneumonia, which is an inflammation and infection of the lungs. Gum disease can also negatively affect the immune system and increase the risk of infections that cause pneumonia.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Gum disease can increase inflammation in the body, which can cause rheumatoid arthritis. Poor oral health can also exacerbate this inflammatory condition, which causes painful, stiff and swollen joints.
The buildup of plaque on and around the teeth causes gum disease. There are two stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis causes bleeding gums, which also often appear red and swollen. If left untreated, gum disease can progress to periodontitis.
Symptoms of periodontitis include:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Gaps between the gums and teeth
- The gums are bright red or reddish-purple, shiny, swollen, or tender to the touch
- Hard deposits on the teeth that are brown, green, white or yellow
- Loose teeth
- Receding gums
- Tooth movement
- Tooth sensitivity
A study published in 2022 looked at how preventive oral care affects diabetes and heart disease costs. Researchers recruited 11,734 people who had diabetes, coronary artery disease, or both.
Participants were enrolled in an Arkansas health care plan that included dental care coverage for at least one year between 2014 and 2018. The researchers compared the total health care costs of those who went to at least one preventive dental visit with those who did not. .
People with diabetes who received preventive dental care saved an average of $549. Those with coronary artery disease who visited the dentist saved $548. People with both conditions who visited the dentist saved about $866.
These findings do not support that preventive visits to the dentist can reduce health care costs. Significant savings among people with diabetes or coronary artery disease who had regular preventive dental visits compared with those who did not may indicate better health outcomes.
Private dental insurance opens up access to care, but there are other ways to find affordable dental care. Solutions may include:
- Dental schools have clinics where dental students can treat people at discounted rates
- Faith-based groups and charities that donate dental services
- Federally qualified health clinics that offer sliding fee scales where people pay what they can afford
Cost is often a barrier to dental care. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover dental care. As a result, many people avoid regular dental cleanings and checkups.
Many people forgo dental coverage because it is an additional expense. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 50% of US adults aged 18 to 64 do not have dental care. About 22% of those who have dental coverage have not visited a dentist in the past year.
People also lose dental insurance when they retire. Medicare does not include coverage for dental care, which means it becomes an out-of-pocket expense. Only 30% of people over 65 had dental insurance as of 2017.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that people visit the dentist at least once a year, if not twice a year or quarterly, depending on their overall health. Preventive dental care removes harmful bacteria that can worsen other conditions.
Delaying care means oral conditions can worsen, become more expensive and affect nutrition, socialization and quality of life. Dental cleanings can also prevent complications in people with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Oral bacteria that cause gum disease can spread from the mouth into the bloodstream, leading to inflammation. This inflammation has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. Other conditions that may be associated with gum disease include cancer, dementia, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Remember to brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day to prevent gum disease. It is also important to visit the dentist regularly for dental cleanings, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.