What Does My Mouth Have to Do with Heart Attacks?

When most people think about heart attacks, they don’t usually think about their teeth and gums. But research proves that the health of your mouth can play a surprising role in the health of your heart.

A Personal Note

At my very first conference with the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Bradley Bale and Dr. Amy Doneen lecture on this very topic. As I sat listening, I realized that my work in dentistry had a much bigger impact on people’s lives than I had ever imagined. It wasn’t just about helping patients smile with confidence or keeping teeth healthy—it was about helping to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease. That was an incredibly powerful moment in my career and has shaped the way I practice today.

The Link Between Oral Bacteria and Heart Disease

In 2017, Drs. Bale and Doneen published their groundbreaking research showing that certain strains of oral bacteria not only live in the mouth—they can actually harm arteries and cause cardiovascular disease. This was the first study to demonstrate a causal relationship, not just an association, between oral bacteria and heart disease.

Here’s how these bacterial strains damage your arteries:

1. They change cholesterol into a more harmful form. People with gum disease often have higher levels of the “bad kind” of cholesterol (small, dense LDL), which more easily slips into artery walls.

2. They make artery walls weaker. Toxins from bacteria can make the walls of your arteries more permeable, so it’s easier for cholesterol and inflammation to cause damage.

3. They make arteries sticky. These same bacteria can make artery walls act like Velcro, trapping cholesterol and fueling the buildup of dangerous plaque.

This “triple threat” is one of the ways gum disease and oral infections can actually increase your risk for heart disease.

Why This Matters

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and every day about 1,700 Americans die from heart disease—including more than 800 deaths from heart attacks alone. That’s one person every 40 seconds who suffers a heart attack.

If something as simple as improving oral health and identifying harmful bacteria can reduce this risk, that’s worth paying attention to.

How We Test at Midway Family Dental

At Midway Family Dental, we offer salivary testing to look for these high-risk bacteria. This test doesn’t just tell us whether the bacteria are present—it also tells us how much is present. That means we can:

• Identify hidden risks, even if you don’t have symptoms.

• Recommend treatment to reduce harmful bacteria.

• Track your progress over time, much like doctors track your bloodwork.

Sometimes patients with no pain, no bleeding gums, and no bad breath still show higher levels of these bacteria. Other times, patients with obvious symptoms—such as bleeding when brushing or flossing, gum tenderness, or chronic bad breath—are clearly at risk and benefit greatly from this kind of testing.

By treating and monitoring these bacteria, we aren’t just improving oral health—we’re helping protect your heart and overall wellness.

Takeaway

Your mouth is not separate from the rest of your body. The health of your gums and teeth has a direct impact on your arteries, your heart, and your quality of life. Dentistry today is about much more than fillings and cleanings—it’s about preventing serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

At Midway Family Dental, we are proud to offer advanced testing and personalized care that looks at the whole picture of your health.