For many years, researchers and doctors have raised the idea that oral health is connected to heart disease. Its hard to believe that simple brushing and flossing could impact your cardiovascular system.
However, it has taken the research until 2025 to find the connection and determine how your mouth to your heart are connected. Most of the available evidence suggests a relationship between gum disease, teeth, the oral microbiome, and your risk for heart disease. In this conversation, we will review what the evidence shows first, then discuss why this connection makes sense, and finally discuss ways to protect your heart and smile.
The Science Behind the Link
Wide and varied community of bacteria residing in your mouth. Some of them are good, but when proper oral hygiene is not practiced, bad bacteria begin to flourish, which can lead to plaque, gum disease (gingivitis), and, in more severe cases, periodontitis. Gum disease can cause tooth loss or unpleasant breath, but it doesn’t stop there.
A number of studies have identified three primary pathways in this link:
Inflammation: Gum disease may contribute to chronic inflammation, where inflammatory markers enter the blood stream via inflamed gums where they circulated, contribute to systemic inflammation and is a risk factor for heart disease.
Bacterial Translocation: Bacteria from infected gums can cross into the bloodstream through tiny ulcerations or cuts in gum tissue; where these bacteria can attach to arterial walls, leading to plaque develop (atherosclerosis).
Immune Response Fatigue: If the body is dealing constantly dealing with oral infections this can lead to fatigue of the immune response allowing the body to handle inflammation poorly leading to damage of the blood vessels which would contribute to increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Thus, poor oral hygiene can affect the body physically via the cardiovascular system without remaining localized to the mouth.
New studies published in 2025 have made the link between oral health and cardiovascular disease more compelling than ever:
Large-Scale Clinical Trials: Multi-year clinical trials have confirmed that individuals with untreated gum disease are significantly more likely to develop heart disease than those who maintain good oral health. The difference in risk is striking, reinforcing the importance of preventive care.
Oral Microbiome Mapping: Advances in genetic sequencing have created this new field of research in mapping out the oral microbiome. Some bacterial strains (e.g., Porphyromonas gingivalis) can actually trigger inflammatory processes in the heart and promote the formation of arterial plaques.
Preventive Care Advantages: Dentists found that professional dental cleanings in patients lower inflammatory markers in the cardiovascular context. Simple measures, like flossing your teeth and rinsing with an antiseptic solution can kill pathogenic bacteria and can improve your heart health.
Shared Risk Factors: New information also points to overlapping lifestyle factors. Smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise, are not only detrimental to gum disease, but also to heart health which is an opportunity to find prevention strategies to address both conditions. Why This Is Relevant Now More than Ever
Mouth and Heart Health: A Strong Connection
Cardiovascular disease and periodontitis are linked, meaning better dental hygiene may lower heart risks. Since prevention is key to reducing healthcare costs, oral care is emerging as an important strategy.
Smart Strategies for Protecting Your Mouth and Heart
Caring for your mouth is simple—and it benefits your heart, too:
Brush & Floss Daily: Brush twice with fluoride toothpaste and floss once to remove plaque and food.
Use Antimicrobial Rinses: Reduce harmful bacteria and gum inflammation.
See Your Dentist Twice a Year: Professional cleanings help prevent gum disease and bacteria buildup.
Eat a Healthy Diet: Choose high-fiber, antioxidant-rich foods and omega-3s.
Avoid Tobacco: A leading cause of gum disease and heart problems.
Stay Active: Exercise lowers inflammation and supports oral and heart health.
Envisioning the Future of Oral-Heart Research
Researchers are continuing to investigate whether treating gum disease can directly lower cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Some 2025 pilot studies suggest that aggressive periodontal treatment may reduce arterial stiffness and lower blood pressure. If future large-scale trials confirm this, dentists could become important allies in cardiovascular prevention. If this is confirmed in future large trials, dentists could be valuable partners in cardiovascular prevention.
The field of microbiome research is also developing quickly. Scientists are looking into whether oral probiotic therapies can restore a healthy balance of bacteria to lower gum disease and cardiovascular disease risk. This line of investigation has the potential for entirely new preventive strategies.
Conclusion
The research from 2025 clearly finds the importance of oral health to heart health—oral health and heart disease are connected. Inflammation and bacteria in the mouth can lead to complications in the arteries and increase the risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event. However, the good news is also clear—brushing, flossing, and dental visits are easy steps that may not just protect your teeth, but also may protect your heart. And if problems strike unexpectedly, booking an emergency dentist appointment in Merthyr Tydfil or visiting an emergency dentist in Abergavenny at KAA Dentals can help you get urgent treatment while also safeguarding your overall wellbeing.
