{"id":319,"date":"2026-02-25T14:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myfrederickdentist.com\/blog\/?p=319"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:05:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:05:01","slug":"oral-health-and-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myfrederickdentist.com\/blog\/2026\/02\/25\/oral-health-and-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can Your Oral Health Affect Your Heart Health?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Did you know that the state of your smile could have an impact on your heart? Research shows that people with gum disease<\/a> tend to be at a higher risk of experiencing heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of heart disease. In celebration of American Heart Month, here is a closer look at the surprising relationship between your oral health and cardiovascular health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Can Gum Disease Increase Your Risk for Heart Problems?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease occurs when harmful bacteria attack the soft tissues that help support your teeth. One of the side effects of the condition is that it causes the gums to bleed more easily. Said bleeding may allow the bacteria in your mouth to enter your bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the bacteria travel throughout the body, they can cause inflammation that damages important blood vessels. This can eventually lead to narrowed arteries, thus significantly increasing your risk for heart disease. Furthermore, if the bacteria that cause gum disease reach your heart, it could result in a dangerous infection known as endocarditis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Avoid Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is not yet proven that gum disease directly causes heart disease, but the available evidence does suggest a very strong association between the two. Thus, maintaining healthy gums is an important step to take if you want to protect the health of your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to reduce your risk for gum disease, you should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n