Why Should I see a Dentist?
First and foremost is to make sure you mouth is heathy so that you can avoid toothaches and infections as well as tooth loss. But in addition, a heathy mouth is connected to your overall health.
Why Oral Health Matters
Numerous recent scientific studies indicate associations between oral health and a variety of general health conditions — including diabetes and heart disease. In response, the World Health Organization has integrated oral health into its chronic disease prevention efforts "as the risks to health are linked."
The American Dental Association recommends that dental visits begin no later than a child's first birthday to establish a "dental home." Dentists can provide guidance to children and parents, deliver preventive oral health services, and diagnose and treat dental disease in its earliest stages. This ongoing dental care will help both children and adults maintain optimal oral health throughout their lifetimes.
| Dentists' areas of care include not only their patients' teeth and gums but also the muscles of the head, neck and jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the nervous system of the head and neck and other areas. |
The Connection Between Heart Disease and Tooth Decay
At first glance, tooth decay and heart disease might seem worlds apart — one affects your smile, the other threatens your life. But modern research has revealed that these two conditions share surprising similarities. In fact, understanding their connection can help people protect both their oral health and their overall well-being. Let’s discuss.
Both Heart Disease and tooth decay actually share the same root cause: Bacterial Inflammation. Both tooth decay and heart disease often begin with harmful bacteria. The common thread is that chronic inflammation caused by bacteria increases the risk of both diseases.
With tooth decay, sugar feeds oral bacteria, which produce acids that erode enamel, leading to cavities. When it comes to heart disease, certain strains of oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums. Once in circulation, they contribute to arterial inflammation, plaque buildup, and even blood clots.
Lifestyle habits drive both conditions. The same behaviors that increase cavity risk also raise the risk of heart disease. Shared risk factors include high sugar diet, smoking or vaping, poor hygiene habits, stress, low intake of nutrient dense foods, inconsistent healthcare visits. When these lifestyle factors pile up, they fuel inflammation, weaken immunity, and create the perfect environment for disease.
Prevention for both is nearly identical. Even though the diseases affect different parts of the body, the strategies to prevent them look strikingly similar. Daily prevention includes brushing and flossing to keep oral bacteria from entering the bloodstream, healthy and low sugar diet, no smoking, stress management, and regular professional checkups. The ultimate goal of both Physicians and Dentists alike, shares the same basic principles: catch early disease before it becomes serious, and to educate patients on risk factors and prevention.
Similarly, they progress silently at first. One of the biggest dangers of both tooth decay and heart disease is that they are painless early on. Cavities often develop without symptoms until the decay reaches the nerve. Heart disease can progress for years without chest pain or warning signs. This is what makes regular checkups essential — dentists can identify oral inflammation that may also indicate elevated cardiovascular risk.
Gum disease is a red flag for heart disease. Periodontal (gum) disease isn’t just a dental issue. It’s a systemic one. Research shows that people with moderate to severe gum disease have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and clogged arteries. The reason? Bleeding gums, a sign of infection, allows bacteria into the bloodstream which in turn increases systemic inflammation. This inflammation results in the previously mentioned cardio-vascular issues. Dentists are often the first to spot signs of systemic health problems — making oral health a vital part of whole-body wellness.
The bottom line is that tooth decay and heart disease share more in common than most people realize:
- Both start with bacteria and inflammation.
- Both are influenced by the same lifestyle habits
- Both can be prevented through similar behaviors
- Both progress silently without early symptoms
A healthy mouth supports a healthy heart. Taking care of your oral hygiene isn’t just about your smile — it’s a powerful investment in your overall health. A trip to the dentist could actually save your life! Who knew?
Actually I did!
Doug Schildhaus, DMD
