treatment for hypertension that includes lifestyle modification and medications as appropriate, and reinforces the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as eating a heart healthy diet, being physically active, and maintaining or achieving a healthy weight.
The diet and lifestyle play the most important role in maintaining good health.
High blood pressure affects nearly half (46.7%) of all adults in the U.S. and is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Valuable statistical data. High blood pressure is another factor impacting cardiovascular disease.
“The mouth is a gateway to the body, and oral health professionals have a powerful opportunity to integrate more into their patients’ collective health care team beyond protecting their patients’ teeth,”
This quote is similar to my thesis. "The mouth is a reflection of the internal health condition of the whole body"
“That early detection can lead to timely referrals, better outcomes and lives saved.”
When visible symptoms of heart disease arise, it is too late to repair the heart and often results in death
nearly 9 in 10 dental patients (88%) think of their dental care team as an important part of their overall health care team
Seems that people do treat dental care as overall health care
Focused on blood pressure screening and referral to primary care
New technology making it possible to diagnose symptoms of heart disease from the mouth.
Each year, approximately 29 million people see a dentist but not another medical professional.
Dental visits could benefit the patients through checking for possible symptoms of heart disease and other illnesses so that their healthcare is more effective.
DALLAS, Nov. 18, 2025
Very recent
Cardiologists are being encouraged to ask about oral health, and dentists are urged to consider cardiovascular risk factors during checkups.
The collaboration between cardiologists, dentists and other doctors helps to provide quality care for patients
To be clear, good dental hygiene alone won’t eliminate heart disease risk. Genetics, diet, exercise and underlying conditions all play crucial roles.
Although proper oral hygiene helps reduce the risk of heart rate, it is not the only method of preventing it, and factors like genes, diet, exercise and pre-existing conditions play an important role.
Emerging research also suggests that oral hygiene may influence heart health through changes in the body’s microbiome.
Oral dysbiosis weakens the body's immune system, increasing risk of chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Epidemiological studies support this oral-cardiac link. People with gum disease are significantly more likely to suffer from heart disease.
There is strong evidence pointing to a link between gum disease and increased risk of heart disease.
IE is a medical emergency requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or, in some cases, surgery
People already having heart problems are most vulnerable to ineffective endocarditis. This disease is very dangerous and difficult to treat.
Poor oral hygiene can also increase the risk of infective endocarditis (IE), a serious infection of the heart’s inner lining or valves.
The heart can be directly affected by bacteria too.
Inflammation is now recognised not only as a symptom of cardiovascular disease but also as a driving force behind it.
This signifies the importance of proper oral care
molecules can damage blood vessel linings
The inflammation triggering cytokines and C-reactive proteins originating from mouth infections contribute to atherosclerosis through causing inflammation in arteries, leading to the symptoms of high blood pressure and increasing heart attacks and strokes.
inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and cytokines
As gum inflammation progresses, it can spread through the body and lead to chronic inflammation.
. A growing body of research reveals a significant link between poor dental hygiene and cardiovascular disease.
My research question: "How does oral health link to cardiovascular disease?" Poor dental hygiene leads to poor oral health, therefore I can use this source to explain what are consequences of poor oral health on cardiovascular health are
including to vital organs. In extreme cases, this can lead to organ failure
Bacteria from the mouth can infect tissues throughout the entire body, they are not limited to the mouth.
allow harmful bacteria into the bloodstream
Periodontitis and other oral infections can result in serious cardiovascular complications due to the bacteria which can get into the bloodstream and even directly infect the heart.
periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease caused by long-term plaque buildup and inadequate oral hygiene. Left untreated, plaque irritates and inflames gum tissue, eventually causing it to recede and deteriorate.
Periodontitis leads to gum recession and loss of jaw bone (alveolar bone) loss