Oral Health
Your oral health may affect your heart health.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Heart Health
Bacteria (germs or “bugs” that can infect you) that live in the mouth can cause tooth decay and infection that may spread to other parts of your body, like your heart, and could lead to heart conditions.
Your dentist is part of your overall health care team
Along with cleaning your mouth, your dental team can help find a wide range of diseases, like high blood pressure (or hypertension) and refer you to primary care to recheck and diagnose if confirmed. Dentists can educate you on the importance of good oral hygiene and how it affects your total health.
Your dentist may start checking your blood pressure
Your dentist may start giving different health screenings – like checking your blood pressure – to help you improve your overall health.
Act now to improve your oral health and heart health
Taking care of your heart means that you are taking care of your whole body (or your whole health). Follow the steps below to improve your health!
Act now to improve your oral health and heart health
- Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to remove plaque-forming bacteria.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients and reduce intake of refined carbohydrates like added sugars and processed grain foods.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco use, such as dipping and chewing tobacco, cigarettes, vaping or hookah, as they can affect gums and increase the risk of heart disease.
- Talk with your dentist about recommendations to ensure your care is tailored to your health needs.
- Talk to your dentist and doctor or other health care professionals (your total health care team) about the connection between oral health and the health of your body.
- Share your medical history with your dentist, including current conditions and any recent behavior changes in oral health care routines or new oral health symptoms.
- Take your medications as prescribed and discuss the side effects of any medications, over the counter or prescribed, with your total health care team.
Oral Health and Heart Health Resources
High Blood Pressure
Learn about blood pressure, including how to measure your blood pressure and understanding your blood pressure numbers.
Life's Essential 8
Resources to help you be more active, quit tobacco, get healthy sleep, manage weight, control cholesterol, manage blood sugar and manage blood pressure.
Control Your Blood Pressure
The EmPOWERED to Serve health lessons offer a way to engage and motivate communities to create a culture of health.
FAQs
Oral Health in the News
Flossing may reduce risk for stroke and irregular heart rhythm
Health conditions a dentist might find that have nothing to do with your teeth
Could the path to better brain health involve better mouth care?
How oral health may affect your heart, brain and risk of death
Need another reason not to vape? Your oral health is at risk
The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ initiative, in collaboration with Delta Dental, is dedicated to bridging the gap between oral and heart health care. Learn more about our mission.
Delta Dental is proud to collaborate with the American Heart Association on the Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative.
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Delta Dental is a registered trademark of Delta Dental Plans Association.