American Heart Association Statement Links Gum Disease to Increased Cardiovascular Risk
TL;DR
Maintaining oral health provides a strategic advantage by reducing cardiovascular disease risk, potentially lowering healthcare costs and improving long-term wellness outcomes.
The American Heart Association's scientific statement details how gum disease bacteria enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation that damages blood vessels and increases heart disease risk.
Better oral hygiene and dental care access can reduce chronic inflammation, potentially decreasing cardiovascular disease burden and creating healthier communities worldwide.
Brushing your teeth three times daily correlates with nearly half the 10-year heart disease risk compared to brushing once or less.
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A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association provides updated evidence supporting an association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the leading cause of death globally. Published in the Association's flagship journal Circulation, the statement indicates that gum disease may be linked to plaque buildup in arteries and higher risk of major cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
"Your mouth and your heart are connected," said Dr. Andrew H. Tran, chair of the scientific statement writing group and director of the preventive cardiology program at Nationwide Children's Hospital. "Gum disease and poor oral hygiene can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation that may damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease."
Periodontal disease affects over 40% of U.S. adults over age 30 and progresses from gingivitis to periodontitis, where gums pull away from teeth, forming pockets that trap bacteria. Severe periodontitis involves extensive bone damage and tooth loss, often requiring surgical intervention. The condition is more common in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, as well as among men, older adults, and those affected by adverse social determinants of health.
While both conditions share common risk factors, emerging data indicates an independent association between periodontal disease and ASCVD. Potential biological mechanisms include direct pathways such as bacteria in the blood and vascular infections, as well as indirect pathways involving chronic systemic inflammation. Numerous studies have found periodontal disease associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and cardiac death.
Although a cause-and-effect relationship hasn't been confirmed, and there's no direct evidence that periodontal treatment prevents cardiovascular disease, treatments reducing lifetime exposure to inflammation appear beneficial for reducing ASCVD risk. The statement suggests that treatment and control of periodontal disease may contribute to prevention and improved management of ASCVD.
People with cardiovascular disease risk factors may benefit from regular dental screenings and targeted periodontal care. Previous studies have found more frequent tooth brushing associated with lower 10-year ASCVD risk and reduced inflammatory markers. The statement notes that more research, including long-term studies and randomized controlled trials, is needed to determine whether periodontal treatment impacts ASCVD progression and outcomes.
The scientific statement was prepared by a volunteer writing group representing multiple American Heart Association councils. While scientific statements inform guideline development, they don't make treatment recommendations. The Association's overall financial information is available here. Additional resources include a Spanish news release and the manuscript available online after 5 a.m. ET on December 16, 2025.
Curated from NewMediaWire
