Picture this; after a long day you are ready to sleep, and as such you skip brushing your teeth.
You ask yourself that aside from terrible morning breath, what is the worst that could happen?
That said, you have also heard claims that there is a link between poor oral hygiene and heart disease.
Is it really true that poor teeth-brushing habits could raise a person’s risk of heart problems?
VERDICT:
TRUE
The idea that poor oral hygiene can lead to heart problems might sound like a scare line but evidence suggests otherwise.
Research suggests brushing twice a day for at least two minutes may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria.
If left unchecked these bacteria can trigger inflammation, a key factor in atherosclerosis that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
But hold your toothbrush, because the link is associative rather than directly causal.
Instead, gum disease and heart disease share risk factors such as smoking, poor diet and diabetes.
Skipping one brushing is unlikely to harm your heart but persistent neglect raises gum disease risk and may increase long term cardiovascular risk.
The smart routine is simple, brush two minutes twice daily, floss regularly, attend dental check ups and keep your smile healthy.
SOURCES:
https://www.brownhealth.org/
https://www.healthline.com/
https://www.dentalhealth.org/
