American Heart Association Links Gum Disease to Increased Cardiovascular Risk in New Scientific Statement
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 published in Circulation reinforces the connection between gum disease and increased risk of cardiovascular events, suggesting that oral health maintenance could play a role in reducing cardiovascular disease burden. The statement, titled "Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease," updates the Association's 2012 position with new data supporting an association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which remains the leading cause of death globally.
"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." The statement emphasizes that brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups serve not only oral health but also cardiovascular protection.
Periodontal disease affects over 40% of U.S. adults over age 30, beginning with gingivitis and potentially progressing to severe periodontitis where teeth may become loose and fall out. The condition shares common risk factors with cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and smoking, but emerging data indicates an independent association between the two conditions. Potential biological mechanisms include direct pathways like bacteria in the blood and 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. While a cause-and-effect relationship hasn't been confirmed, the statement notes that treatments reducing lifetime exposure to inflammation appear beneficial for ASCVD risk reduction. Previous research has shown more frequent tooth brushing is associated with lower 10-year ASCVD risk and reduced inflammatory markers.
The statement highlights that people with cardiovascular disease risk factors may benefit from regular dental screenings and targeted periodontal care. However, more research including long-term studies and randomized controlled trials is needed to determine whether periodontal treatment can impact ASCVD progression and outcomes. Additional information about the American Heart Association's financial policies is available at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/aha-financial-information.
This 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 guidelines provide official clinical practice recommendations. The full manuscript is available online after 5 a.m. ET on December 16, 2025.
Curated from NewMediaWire
