The Unexpected Connection Between Oral Health and Heart Health

Disclaimer: Not Medical Advice. Opinions are my own.

In partnership with IM8

Today's Newsletter at a Glance:

• How Oral Health and the Heart are Connected

• Why Oral Hygiene Matters

• Gum Disease and the Risks of Heart Disease

• Nutrition and Micronutrient support for Heart Health

• Proper Dental Hygiene Program by Dr. Staci Whitman, DMD

The human body doesn't operate in a vacuum.

No organ system functions independently.

Symptoms may present elsewhere, but the root cause could be a collection of underlying drivers.

For example, poor gut health affects several organs, including the brain, via the Gut-Brain Axis.

A surprising connection for many is the link between oral health and the rest of the body.

In today's newsletter, we will cover why oral hygiene matters, the health risks of poor hygiene, and tangible ways to improve your dental hygiene.

Why Oral Hygiene Matters

We are all aware of the connection between cavities and poor hygiene.

However, the adverse downstream effects of an unhealthy oral environment go beyond the mouth.

Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria—both good and bad. Without proper dental care, harmful bacteria can lead to gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

The bad bacteria can enter the bloodstream once the mouth is inflamed or damaged.

This is problematic for two primary reasons:

1. Chronic inflammation in your mouth can raise general inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
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2. Microbial dysbiosis, an imbalance of bacteria in your mouth, can cause direct infection or trigger immune responses in distant organs.

Gum Disease and the Risks of Heart Disease

We have established the relationship of oral health with the rest of the body, but what about heart health specifically?

The translocation of oral bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum enter the bloodstream and can promote atherosclerosis.

Several studies indicate oral bacteria to be found in atherosclerotic plaques.

​In this study, 23% of atheromatous plaques from coronary and carotid arteries in patients with chronic periodontitis contained Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA.

The good news is that a population-based study from Korea demonstrated that performing one additional tooth brushing per day was associated with a 9% lower risk of cardiovascular events, and regular dental visits reduced cardiovascular risk by 14%.

Similarly, another study found that better oral hygiene was associated with a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure.​

Both of these studies are population cohort studies, which do have their limitations, and further studies are necessary to uncover the full relationship.

However, the trends suggest that good care of your teeth will prevent dental disease and reduce the risk of CVD.

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A Proper Dental Hygiene Program by Dr. Staci Whitman, DMD

So, what steps can you take today to prevent poor oral health?

I asked my friend and functional dentist, Dr. Staci Whitman, DMD, her top five non-negotiables for supporting heart health through oral hygiene.

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1. Brush with intention, not aggression.

Brushing twice daily is essential to disrupt pathogenic biofilm, but overbrushing or using abrasive toothpaste damages enamel and irritates the gingiva, driving inflammation. Use a soft-bristled brush and small circular motions.
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2. Floss (or use a water flosser) every night.

Interdental spaces harbor anaerobic bacteria that fuel periodontal disease, elevate CRP, and drive systemic inflammation. Daily mechanical disruption, ideally in the evening, prevents the pathogens from translocating into the gut and bloodstream during sleep.
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3. Avoid antiseptic mouthwash.

Chlorhexidine, alcohol, or astringent-based rinses annihilate beneficial nitric oxide-producing oral bacteria. These microbes convert dietary nitrates into nitrites, a critical step in the enterosalivary nitrate, nitrite-NO pathway. Killing them off impairs vasodilation, increases blood pressure, and raises cardiovascular risk.
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4. Feed your oral microbiome.

Polyphenols (like green tea catechins, berries, cacao), fiber, and leafy greens feed commensal bacteria. Avoid frequent refined sugar and flour exposure, which promotes acidogenic, dysbiotic communities. Oral microbial health shapes systemic inflammation, metabolic markers, and vascular integrity. Increasing naturally fermented foods in your daily routine (sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, natto, pickles) is a great way to support optimizing your oral microbiome.

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5. Prioritize professional cleanings and early intervention

Subclinical periodontitis can exist without pain but still leak endotoxins and inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α) into the systemic circulation. Regular dental visits allow early detection, biofilm management, and the monitoring of the oral microbial balance.
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Want to hear more from Dr. Staci Whitman? Sign up for her newsletter here, and check out her recent episode on the Huberman Lab.
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Oral and cardiovascular systems aren’t siloed; they’re synched.

The oral microbiome is a gatekeeper for endothelial function, inflammation, and nitric oxide signaling. If you’re optimizing for heart health, don’t skip your mouth!

P.S. We are now publishing a podcast that you can access for free on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3FU0S6O or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/3DJvyav​