Video / Sharecare Experts / Suzanne Steinbaum, MD / Is There a Link Between Oral Health and Heart Disease?

Is There a Link Between Oral Health and Heart Disease?

Is There a Link Between Oral Health and Heart Disease? (0:40)

A heart-healthy life includes good oral hygiene; gum disease, which leads to inflammation and bacteria, can actually increase your risk for heart disease. Watch as cardiologist Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, explains how oral health can impact your heart.

Read Transcript

When we talk about the heart, it's not like the heart is separate from the rest of our bodies. When we think about heart health, we have to think about it from head to toe, and believe it or not, oral health can lead to preventing or putting yourself at risk for heart disease. Gum disease which leads to an increase in inflammation and bacteria in the body can actually lead to heart disease.

So part of a healthy life is really paying attention to your oral care. Go to your dentist, get regular checkups, and that's part of taking care of your heart.