Given just how different your teeth and heart are in terms of structure and function inside your body, there is a strong connection between oral health and heart disease that often remains unknown but can cause serious problems down the line. We will cover everything you need to know about this surprisingly powerful connection.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Heart
Oral health and heart health are connected by the spread of bacteria and other germs from your mouth to other bodily parts. Bacteria travel through your bloodstream and they can attach themselves to any damaged area upon reaching the heart, which causes inflammation. This bacteria-bred inflammation makes individuals much more susceptible to illnesses such as endocarditis, which is an infection of the inner lining of the heart.
Another way that poor oral health can cause heart disease is that it puts additional pressure on your immune system, which is constantly agitated due to the excess bacteria that enters your blood. This affects the abilities of your body to fight against common illnesses. Poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
This is essentially the build up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the walls of your arteries. This causes the arteries to narrow, so less oxygen can pass through and ultimately less blood. This increases your risk of a heart attack and a stroke. The main factor behind the causation of these heart related illnesses is periodontal disease.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is also known as gum disease and is a common infection that affects the tissue that supports your teeth. This includes the gum bone, jawbone, and ligaments. Periodontal disease is normally caused by plaque, which is a sticky form of bacteria that builds up on your teeth and can harden into tartar.
While periodontal disease is not life threatening, if left untreated it can lead to much more severe issues like recession of your gums, loss of teeth, and even systemic health problems. There are stages to periodontal disease and knowing which stage you may be at is vital for ensuring it does not progress.
The four stages are as follows:
Stage 1 – Gingivitis. This is the earliest stage of gum disease. This stage starts with red and puffy gums that are likely to bleed when you brush or floss. You will be reassured to know that at this stage there is no bone loss. This means that gingivitis is completely reversible with the proper treatment and care. If it’s not reversed, you will progress onto stage 2 of periodontal disease.
Stage 2 – Mild Periodontitis. This is the stage where bacteria have started to seep in between your gums, which is starting to affect the supporting bone. Your gums may have pockets around them as they start to pull away from your teeth. Your toothbrush and floss cannot reach these pockets and plaque and bacteria love hiding here.
Stage 3 – Moderate Periodontitis. Untreated bacteria that have been left start to erode the ligaments, soft tissues, and even the bones that hold your teeth in place. You may begin to notice symptoms here such as bad breath and pus, which is the start of an infection around your gum line. Because of this, a lot of people develop pain at this stage.
Stage 4 – Advanced Periodontitis. As periodontal disease gets worse, the bone loss continues. This can cause your teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.
If your periodontal disease is diagnosed and treated early enough, you can be prevented from entering the stages of moderate and advanced periodontitis. But if you have already lost bone around your teeth due to infection, the disease is too advanced to be reversed. However, do not fear as it can be well managed with proper treatment and consistent, diligent oral hygiene.
Nutrition for Oral and Heart Health
Eating well has a big impact on your mouth and heart health, since your body’s parts work together. A good mix of foods with lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants help keep your teeth strong, your gums healthy, and your heart in good shape.
To keep your mouth healthy, you need calcium and vitamin D to make your tooth enamel stronger and support your jawbone. You can get these from dairy, leafy greens, almonds, and some plant-based drinks with added nutrients. Vitamin C, which you can find in oranges, berries, and capsicum, helps reduce swollen gums and fix damaged tissue.
These foods that are full of nutrients also help your heart by lowering your blood pressure and reducing swelling. Omega-3 fats, which are in fish like salmon and mackerel, fight swelling and lower your chance of getting gum disease and heart problems. Whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice make your gums healthier by keeping your blood sugar steady and improving your heart health.
It’s also important to avoid eating too much sugar and refined carbs; sugary snacks and drinks feed bad mouth bacteria and cause tooth decay, while also making you more likely to become overweight and have heart issues.
Drinking lots of water—water with fluoride—helps wash away food bits and bacteria from your mouth while helping your body work better overall. Eating less saturated fat and more fibre can lower your cholesterol making you less likely to get heart disease while improving blood flow to your gum tissue.
In short, what’s good to eat for your heart is often good for your mouth too—so choosing the right foods is a great way to stay healthy and ensure longevity.