Bacteria from the mouth can spread through the body and reach the heart, potentially influencing cardiovascular health [1].
This connection suggests that oral hygiene is not merely a matter of dental aesthetics but a critical component of systemic health. When periodontal disease is left untreated, the barrier between the oral cavity and the bloodstream weakens, allowing pathogens to migrate.
Dr. Roberto Kalil Filho, along with periodontists and professors Cláudio Pannuti and Cristina Villa from the Universidade de São Paulo, said this biological link during a broadcast on CNN Brasil [1]. They said that bacteria associated with periodontitis can enter the bloodstream and travel to distant organs, including the heart.
Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Once these bacteria enter the circulatory system, they may contribute to inflammatory processes that affect the heart's function or the health of the arteries [1].
The experts said the importance of regular dental checkups to prevent these infections from escalating. By managing oral health, patients may reduce the risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing systemic complications [1].
Preventative care involves both professional cleaning and consistent home hygiene. The experts said that identifying the signs of gum disease early is essential to protecting the cardiovascular system [1].
“Bacteria from the mouth can spread through the body and reach the heart.”
The link between periodontal disease and heart health underscores the concept of the oral-systemic connection. By identifying the mouth as a primary entry point for bacteria that can trigger cardiovascular inflammation, medical professionals are moving toward a more integrated approach to preventative medicine where dental health is treated as a prerequisite for heart health.
