Oral Health and Heart Disease

Learn about the connection between heart health and oral health.

The dental disease and heart disease connection

Cardiovascular disease is the most widespread type of disease in the United States. Like gum disease, risk for cardiovascular disease increases as you age.

The health of your mouth, teeth and gums is important. It can be an indication of your overall health. In general, the germs in your mouth are not harmful. However, research has increasingly shown that these germs may lead to disease throughout the body.

Research on the link between dental disease and cardiovascular disease is ongoing. Some suspect that the high levels of bacteria that cause gum disease (periodontitis) may play a role in other health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke.

Already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease?

If you have any type of cardiovascular disease, be sure to talk with your dentist about it. It may be necessary to coordinate dental care with your doctor to develop a treatment plan for your specific needs.

Other things to consider:

• Medications ― Your dentist requires knowledge of your medical history, any drugs you may be taking and your doctor's contact information.
  • People who have heart disease may take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs. Evidence shows that most people do not need to change how they take these drugs prior to getting routine dental care. However, for dental surgery, a change may be necessary. Your dentist may need to consult with your doctor.
  • High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Drugs known as calcium channel blockers are used to treat high blood pressure. These drugs are known to cause dry mouth and gum overgrowth. When this happens, you may want to talk about options with your doctor.
  • Depending on your health and medications, your dentist may modify the type of local anesthesia used for any treatment.
• Endocarditis ‐ Endocarditis is a life-threatening inflammation of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves. The inflammation is caused by germs that enter the bloodstream and attach to damaged parts of the heart. People at high risk of developing endocarditis should practice good oral hygiene to prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream.
  • High-risk individuals may need to take a prescription antibiotic before dental treatment to help prevent it.
  • Before heart valve surgery, it is common for a person to be seen by a dentist for an exam and treatment to help reduce the risk of endocarditis.
• Heart Attack ‐ Dental exams and cleanings should be regularly performed after a heart attack. However, extensive treatment should be postponed until 6 months afterward. If you are worried that a dental visit may trigger a heart attack or other problem, keep in mind:
  • Dentists are trained to deal with medical emergencies. Through ongoing education, they and their staff keep abreast of what to do and how to respond promptly.
  • Dental offices typically keep oxygen and emergency drugs on hand.
• Angina ‐ Chest pain or shortness of breath caused by reduced blood flow to the heart is called angina.
  • Doctors prescribe nitroglycerine for people with angina. Dental offices typically have oxygen and nitroglycerin on hand in case of an emergency.
  • A person with unstable angina and a dental emergency may require heart monitoring in a hospital.

There is no proof that treating gum disease can prevent cardiovascular disease. However, knowing that gum disease has been found to affect other systems is another reason to practice good oral hygiene and prevent gum disease in the first place.

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Note: The information in this article is not meant to replace the advice of your dentist or another licensed healthcare professional. Talk to your dentist for any specific dental advice.

Sources:
https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/oral-anticoagulant-and-antiplatelet-medications-and-dental-procedures
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/oral-health