When you think of keeping your heart healthy, oral health is probably the last thing on your mind. But, the reality is that keeping your teeth healthy can help you reduce the risk of heart conditions with serious implications.

One study found that people who brush more than once a day or have more than one dental visit for a dental cleaning have a reduced risk of developing heart disease by up to 14%.

Most heart problems connected to oral health stem from some form of gum disease (a.k.a. periodontal disease). While you may not think you will get gum disease, it is incredibly common—in fact, 42.2% of people aged 30 years and older have some form of gum disease. Numerous studies tie gum disease to a higher risk for high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are major risk factors for stroke and heart attack. In fact, people who have active gum disease are three to four times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke compared to those who do not have gum disease.

The bottom line is that taking great care of your teeth, visiting your dentist regularly, and taking preventive measures to avoid gum disease can help your ticker stay healthy.

Did you know there are 58 known systemic diseases related to oral health? Learn more.

Let’s look at just how much heart health and oral health are interconnected.

Oral Health and High Blood Pressure

Studies have shown a clear connection between oral health and high blood pressure. And most researchers chalk it up to inflammation caused by oral bacteria. Blood pressure and gum disease have a bidirectional relationship, meaning that having high blood pressure can exacerbate gum disease, and having gum disease can exacerbate high blood pressure. The occurrence of high blood pressure is often more significant in adults with gum disease, and treating gum disease can lead to decreased blood pressure. This is very beneficial since almost half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure.

What is gum disease? Everything you need to know about periodontal disease.

Oral Health and Irregular Heartbeat

A study found that patients with gum disease have a 31% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, or an irregular heartbeat, than patients without. People with AFib have a higher risk of stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and dementia.

Oral Health and Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is a common heart disease in which plaque buildup narrows the arteries that feed into your heart. What’s in this build-up? In one study, 75% of arterial plaque contained oral bacteria, also known as bacterial biofilm. This may come as no surprise to you by now, but people with gum disease have an almost-three times higher risk of developing coronary artery disease than other populations. The silver lining is that once again, treatment of gum disease and oral biofilm has been shown to improve this condition.

Oral Health and High Cholesterol

Studies also show a bidirectional relationship between gum disease and high cholesterol. Patients with mild cholesterol have more symptoms of gum disease, and people with gum disease tend to have higher cholesterol. Luckily, it’s possible to improve cholesterol levels with gum disease treatment.

This is why seeing your dentist is incredibly important, as these wellness visits extend far beyond your mouth. As you can see, falling behind on your dental hygiene therapy and daily home hygiene can impact your quality of life and longevity.

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The Surprising Connection Between Oral Health and Heart Health