Floss Your Teeth to Protect Your Heart
Can Your Gums Affect Your Heart? (Yes, Really — Your Gums Might Be Talking to Your Heartbeat)
We grow up hearing the usual reminders about looking after our teeth: brush twice a day, floss (if you remember). But what if flossing twice daily wasn’t just about saving your smile — what if it was also quietly protecting your heart health?
It sounds a bit out there, I know. But the science is getting louder.
How Gum Health Affects Heart Health
If you’re dealing with heart flutter, irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation (AFib), the last thing you might think about is your gums. Yet more and more research is showing a clear connection between gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) and heart rhythm issues.
The main culprit: a bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis, which thrives in unhealthy gums.
When your gums are inflamed and bleeding, these bacteria – along with inflammatory molecules – don’t stay put. They can enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and end up anywhere… including the heart.
What Happens When Oral Bacteria Reach Your Heart
Once there, they can:
- Interrupt electrical signals in the heart
- Alter heart tissue structure
- Raise overall inflammation levels
That combination can set the stage for irregular heartbeat.
Here’s the strange part: researchers have actually found DNA from oral bacteria inside heart muscle, heart valves, and even arterial plaque. Around 30% of AFib patients have periodontitis, and the link is strong enough that scientists are finally looking at gum care as part of heart care.
The Study That Confirmed It
Researchers at Hiroshima University wanted to go beyond “association” and see if the bacteria actually caused heart changes.
So they infected one group of mice with P. gingivalis and left the other group bacteria-free.
Just 18 weeks later, the infected mice were six times more likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms.
Then they looked at heart tissue from 68 people with AFib. The bacteria were there too — and in the highest concentrations in those with the worst gum disease.
In other words:
If your gums are inflamed, your heart may be too.
Why Gum Health Matters Beyond the Heart
Gum bacteria don’t just stop at the cardiovascular system. Research has also linked P. gingivalis to:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Some cancers
- Liver inflammation
Basically, if there’s chronic inflammation involved, oral bacteria tend to show up in the conversation.
How to Protect Your Gums and Heart
Since I already floss twice a day, I can speak to how it becomes a habit (and yes, it sometimes feels tedious). But it really does pay off.
- Brush twice a day
- Floss twice a day — yes, twice, not just “if I remember”
- Keep up regular dental cleanings
- Support your immune system and reduce overall inflammation through diet, sleep, and lifestyle
This kind of care is part of the larger picture of holistic wellness. What you do for your mouth health echoes throughout your body.
More Holistic Health Tips
On my blog, I write often about how skin health, wellness, and lifestyle are far more connected than we think — far beyond what we see in the mirror.
Check out the blog posts here: Organic Health tips and insights
If you love clean beauty, wellness, and the science behind natural living, you might enjoy exploring:
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Hydrating Face It Serum – a light face oil with chia seeds and antioxidants to support a healthy skin barrier.
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We tend to think of the body in separate “departments”: teeth, skin, heart, brain. But the more I’ve learned, the more I believe those divisions are mostly in our heads. When you care for one system, you quietly support all the others.
So the next time you floss (yes, twice), remember: you’re not just protecting your smile.
You might just be tuning up your heartbeat, too.
Frequently Ask Questions
- Can gum disease really affect heart health?
Yes. Research shows that gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) can increase the risk of heart rhythm problems like AFib. Harmful oral bacteria, such as P. gingivalis, can enter the bloodstream and affect heart tissue and electrical signals.
- How often should I floss to protect my heart?
Experts recommend flossing twice a day in addition to brushing. Regular flossing reduces gum inflammation and the presence of oral bacteria, which may help lower the risk of irregular heartbeat and support overall heart health.
- What other health problems are linked to unhealthy gums?
Unhealthy gums and chronic inflammation caused by oral bacteria have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, arthritis, some cancers, and liver inflammation. Taking care of your gums is a crucial part of holistic wellness.
