How Oral Health May Be Linked to Heart and Brain Health

Researchers have recently made an amazing discovery: there is an unexpected link between gum disease and tooth decay and cardiovascular issues. Gum disease and tooth decay may trigger inflammation to spread throughout the bloodstream and create health issues throughout the body.

Oral health can also contribute to intracerebral hemorrhages – more dangerous than ischemic strokes – but practicing good oral hygiene may lower these risks.

Inflammation

Inflammation is a hallmark of periodontal disease, but it can also contribute to health problems elsewhere in the body, including heart and brain inflammation. Studies have linked increased peripheral inflammatory markers with lower brain function among older adults; yet it remains unclear whether inflammation itself is to blame; more research needs to be conducted into its impact on brain health.

Researchers have recently found evidence that oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream through a process called bacteremia, occurring when tissues are traumatized by dental or medical procedures and release bacteria or their products, leading to systemic inflammation responses in liver, lungs, heart, gut and kidney tissues and organs; furthermore it increases dementia risk significantly.

Tooth decay, periodontal disease and other infections of the mouth and jaw are among the most prevalent oral diseases, often linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer as well as socioeconomic status; unfortunately though prevention and treatment of such conditions isn’t usually covered under national universal healthcare plans.

Understanding the intricate relationship between oral microbiome and other parts of the body has led to a surge of awareness about its link to chronic medical conditions – something of particular relevance given that most oral diseases are preventable with proper hygiene and regular dental visits.

Gum disease and oral bacteria can damage nerves in the mouth, leading to pain and loss of sensation in lips, tongue, cheek and palate areas – leading to numbness, difficulty eating or speaking as well as depression or suicidal thoughts if left untreated. Gum disease increases the risk of premature birth in pregnant women; complications in managing diabetes; as well as infections of other parts of the body.

Researchers have discovered that P. gingivalis bacteria are capable of breaching the blood-brain barrier, which normally blocks out pathogens and toxins entering the central nervous system. When P. gingivalis enters, it causes inflammation within the brain that promotes buildup of protein fragments linked to Alzheimer’s disease – tau and beta-amyloid proteins are then formed over time, potentially contributing to Alzheimer’s.

Circulatory Problems

An essential component of physical wellbeing is an efficient circulatory system, which delivers oxygen-rich blood to every tissue and organ of your body. Your heart and blood vessels work as one, so if any part isn’t functioning as it should be, your entire system can become compromised – that’s why it’s vital that your heart and blood vessels remain healthy; taking good care of these parts is also key in terms of your overall wellbeing; should a disease affect either, it is important that you learn as much as you can about how this could impact you on overall wellbeing if possible.

Oral health encompasses your teeth, gums, lips, inner lining of the mouth and cheeks, roof and floor of the mouth, chewing muscles, tongue, salivary glands and pharynx (throat). Being free from pain or disease that affects these areas is also key. Good oral health allows you to enjoy eating, smiling and communicating your emotions more freely – as well as living longer, healthier lives!

Many people unfortunately suffer from untreated oral diseases due to diet and poor hygiene, with dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss and oral cancer being some of the more prevalent issues. Preventable measures include brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing, attending regularly scheduled dental cleaning appointments as well as limiting sugar-rich food and beverages such as soda.

An efficient cardiovascular system is vital to brain health. If your heart doesn’t pump efficiently or the vessels that supply blood to and from the brain are compromised, the brain won’t receive its essential nutrients, leading to cognitive disorders like dementia. Vascular dementia is currently the second-leading cause of dementia in America – its development often as a direct result of poor heart health.

Therefore, it is vitally important to follow a balanced diet, limit sugary beverages and take other measures to safeguard both heart and brain health. By staying active and not smoking, these steps will lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia while improving memory function and decreasing cognitive decline – ultimately decreasing risk.

Cognitive Impairment

An attack can alter blood flow to your brain, leading to cognitive changes known as Vascular Cognitive Impairment or Mild Vascular Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which may impair thinking, memory and focus as well as cause you to forget things easily or struggle completing complex tasks. Although these changes are usually reversible over time they could pose long term health problems that must be managed.

Poor oral health reduces activity of the masticatory (chewing) organ, decreasing its capacity and blood flow to the brain – an increase risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Studies indicate that regular chewing exercises and good dental hygiene practices can help ensure adequate blood supply to the brain for Alzheimer’s prevention.

Studies conducted through epidemiologic methods have consistently demonstrated that poor oral health increases the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease, among other clinical outcomes.1,2 This may be explained by the mouth-to-brain pathway which occurs when bacteria from gum disease enter the bloodstream and travel directly to the brain, creating inflammation which in turn could contribute to cognitive decline and dementia as well as cardiovascular disease.

Researchers have also discovered a correlation between cavities and gum disease and an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhages – or strokes caused by bleeding in the brain – and cavities, which has been linked with gum disease, and an increase in intracerebral hemorrhages – more deadly types of stroke than ischemic strokes (which occur when an artery blocks blood flow) suggesting damage may have occurred to tiny blood vessels involved with both types of strokes.

As these hemorrhages often involve bleeding within the brain, treating them can be extremely challenging due to its susceptibility to blood clotting factors. Therefore, researchers suggest that more should be done to improve dental care; more specifically medical-dental integration which allows primary care providers and other health professionals to conduct oral health assessments would increase access to healthcare for adults with poor oral and overall health; this would also help protect them against cardiovascular disease, chronic conditions which affect mental and cognitive performance as well as improving general well-being.

Practical Ways to Protect Your Teeth

As an integrative and functional medicine physician, I believe it’s crucial to identify and address the source of health issues. One such source is inflammation – often overlooked as it fuels chronic conditions – including gum disease affecting our mouths and gums where oral microbiome disruption releases bacteria into bloodstream causing widespread inflammation throughout the body – including our heart!

Health care leaders must inform people of the relationship between oral health and overall wellness; and dental habits affecting overall wellness. Furthermore, they should support efforts to improve access to dental care as well as manage conditions that impact oral health such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease that could impact it negatively.

Diabetes increases the likelihood of gum disease and associated eye complications such as glaucoma. If combined, they increase a patient’s chances of gum disease further compounding their diabetes-related eye complications and possibly leading to further eye problems like blindness.

Gum disease can have devastating repercussions for lung health by inducing bacterial infection into the bloodstream and leading to nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP), an expensive and life-threatening condition that requires continuous medical attention. Studies conducted have demonstrated that patients who received regular dental cleanings were less likely to develop NVHAP than those without.

Oral health and cognitive function are inextricably linked, with poor oral hygiene being one of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Porphyromonas gingivalis–the bacteria responsible for gum disease–has been detected in Alzheimer’s patient brains; chronic inflammation from gum disease may damage blood-brain barrier integrity leading to cognitive decline.

There are many steps you can take to protect both cardiovascular and cognitive health simultaneously by taking steps to safeguard oral hygiene. Brush twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and floss regularly to remove plaque build-up. Avoid high sugar-content foods and beverages which contribute to tooth decay. Also visit your dentist regularly and use a mouthguard while engaging in contact sports if applicable; drink sufficient water every day so as to remain well hydrated.