Dentist warns of link between heart disease and not brushing your teeth

A dentist says poor oral health could increase your risk of and heart disease, among other problems. Appearing on Steven Bartlett's podcast, The Diary Of A CEO, Dr Victoria Sampson, a researcher and functional dentist, said: "Research has shown that if you have gum disease you are at a 20% higher chance of high blood pressure.

"Up to 30 to 40% of cardiac issues in hospital can be traced back to an oral bacteria causing problems in the heart valve." She added: "So these toxic enzymes which are being released by the bacteria, they travel through the blood, and they basically stop the blood vessels from being able to widen."

She said this can cause issues for blood trying to travel to the heart. It is also one of the biggest connections with heart disease, she claimed.

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In the episode, the expert revealed the connection between the oral micriobiome and other diseases. "Having an imbalanced oral micriobiome increases your risk of oral diseases," she warned.

For example, such diseases can include gum disease and decay. "But also can increase your risk of other systemic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, infertility, Alzheimer's," she continued.

Dr Sampson added that there are lots of factors that contribute to oral health, including oral hygiene and your genetic make-up. "We have a lot of patients who suffer from terrible gum disease.

"They come to me and they brush three times a day, they've never touched a cigarette, they have immaculate oral hygiene, they eat very well, but they have terrible gum disease. For those patients, they might have genetic mutations that predispose them to gum disease and to inflammation."

The British Heart Foundation has also acknowledged the link between gum disease and poor heart health. A statement on its website reads: "Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and has also been linked to an increased risk of developing heart or blood vessel problems. But we still don’t really understand how gum disease and cardiovascular disease are connected."

How poor oral hygiene is linked to heart disease:

Bacteria from poor oral hygiene can cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to hardened arteries and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Bacteria from poor oral hygiene can also enter the bloodstream and cause infections in the heart lining, called endocarditis. Endocarditis is a rare but serious disease that's difficult to treat and has a high mortality rate.

Gum disease can worsen blood pressure and interfere with medications to treat hypertension. Poor dental health can pose a risk to people with heart valve problems.

To protect yourself from gum disease and heart disease, you can:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush
• Use an ADA-accepted toothpaste
• Floss daily
• Visit your dental hygienist for regular professional cleanings