Healthy Gums, Healthy Heart: Why Your Oral Health Matters More Than You Think

When most people think of heart disease risk, they picture high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, or diet. But emerging evidence reveals that periodontitis — a chronic gum disease — plays a much more significant role in cardiovascular health than many realize.

What Is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that damages the gums and the structures that support your teeth. It’s not just bleeding gums or bad breath — in advanced cases, it leads to gum recession, bone loss, and tooth loss. Globally, more than 40% of adults experience some form of periodontitis.

But the story doesn’t end in your mouth.

The Oral–Heart Connection: From Association to Potential Causation

Over the past two decades, scientists have uncovered strong links between gum disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). People with periodontitis are at higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease, even after considering traditional risk factors such as age, smoking, and cholesterol levels.

Why is this happening? The connection appears to lie in inflammation and immune response:

1. People with periodontitis tend to show elevated systemic markers of inflammation (e.g., C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha).
2. Gum bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, have been found in atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting that oral microbes can migrate and influence vascular health.
3. Endothelial dysfunction (impaired blood vessel lining) is seen more often in those with gum disease, an early warning sign of cardiovascular damage.

These threads of evidence suggest that gum disease could serve as a modifiable risk factor in vascular health, not merely a bystander.

Can Treating Gum Disease Improve Heart Health?

This is where the research becomes even more compelling. The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has incorporated interventional data — not just observational studies — into its clinical guidelines, examining whether treating periodontitis can help reduce systemic and vascular risk.

A significant randomized controlled trial published in the European Heart Journal (2025) found that in otherwise healthy people with severe periodontitis, intensive periodontal therapy resulted in:

1. Reduced carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) — a marker of atherosclerosis
2. Improved endothelial function
3. Decreased systemic indicators of inflammation and oxidative stress

These changes occurred independently of shifts in blood pressure, cholesterol, or body weight.

In simpler terms: treating gum disease didn’t just help the mouth — it helped the blood vessels.

Implications for Cardiovascular Prevention

The implications are profound. Atherosclerosis often develops silently over years, fueled by chronic inflammation. Addressing gum disease could help “turn off” one of those upstream inflammatory sources.

Yet despite this evidence:

1. Oral-health checks are rarely included in mainstream cardiovascular risk screening
2. Many dental professionals don’t systematically assess or refer patients for cardiovascular risk
3. Medical professionals often don’t inquire about gum health

This divide means many opportunities for prevention may be missed.

What Can You Do? For Patients and the Public

1. Don’t dismiss bleeding or receding gums — they could be a signal of something bigger.
2. Maintain consistent oral hygiene: brushing twice daily, flossing or interdental cleaning, and regular dental checkups.
3. If diagnosed with periodontitis, discuss the full treatment — not just symptom relief — with your dentist.
4. If you have cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, high blood pressure, family history), inform both your medical and dental care teams.

For Dental & Medical Professionals

1. Integrate basic periodontal screening into medical care for patients at risk of CVD.
2. Encourage bidirectional referrals: dental → medical, medical → dental.
3. Stay updated on clinical guidelines that emphasize systemic benefits of periodontal treatment.

For Health Policy Makers & Advocates

1. Consider including oral health metrics in national heart health or chronic disease prevention strategies.
2. Promote public awareness campaigns on the oral–systemic health connection (e.g., linking World Heart Day to gum health).

Why This Matters for MyDentistVancouver Patients

At MyDentistVancouver, we believe that good oral health isn’t a standalone goal — it’s part of your overall well-being. If you’re concerned about your heart health, don’t forget that your gums may be offering clues. By partnering with experienced dental professionals, we aim not only to keep your smile healthy but also to support your body in every way we can.