{"id":768,"date":"2026-02-10T09:47:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T09:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tadmorgandds.com\/blog\/?p=768"},"modified":"2026-02-24T21:47:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T21:47:23","slug":"how-oral-health-affects-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadmorgandds.com\/blog\/how-oral-health-affects-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Smiles Hearty: How Oral Health Affects Heart Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While you may have Valentine hearts on your mind, those aren’t the only kinds to consider this month. February is American Heart Month – a time to honor the ticker in your chest, plus its role in a good quality of life. That said, you\u2019re in luck; your Bullard dentist has mouth-related guidance<\/a> that\u2019s relevant for the occasion. You can use it to strengthen your body and grin in the coming days. So, read on to learn how oral health affects heart health over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Mouth-Heart Connection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While they may seem unrelated, your mouth and your heart have a strong connection to each other. The health of the former impacts the health of the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It really comes down to harmful mouth bacteria. Rather than stick to your smile, these microbes will easily shift from your mouth and get into your bloodstream. They can then reach your heart, attaching to its values and causing cardiovascular inflammation. The latter scenario often causes problems like strokes, clogged arteries, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iffy Gums, Iffy Heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you don\u2019t need to take the words above at face value. Plenty of vetted and independent research backs them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent studies actually show that gum disease elevates your heart disease risk. For instance, one from 2014 indicates that patients with good gum care have cardiovascular care costs that are 10-40% lower. A 2010 review article similarly finds that gum disease increases the likelihood of heart disease by 20%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gum-heart disease link can be explained by C-reactive proteins. These elements are elevated by harmful mouth bacteria, and they act as a guide for inflammation in blood vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways to Protect Your Smile & Heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To keep your smile from causing heart problems, remember to do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n