You’ve probably heard that gum disease can cause bleeding gums or bad breath, but did you know it could also affect your heart? Over the last few decades, research has uncovered a strong connection between gum disease (periodontitis) and heart disease, showing that your oral health plays a much bigger role in overall wellbeing than many people realise.
At Pure Periodontics in the centre of the City of London, Dr Neesha Patel regularly helps patients understand how looking after their gums can also support their general health, including their heart. Here’s what every patient should know about this important link.
How Are Gum Disease and Heart Disease Connected?
Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the tissues and bone supporting your teeth. It begins when plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria, builds up along the gumline. If it isn’t removed through effective brushing and professional cleaning, it hardens into tartar and triggers inflammation in the gums.
Over time, this inflammation allows bacteria and toxins from periodontal pockets to enter the bloodstream, a process known as bacteraemia. This can occur not only during dental procedures such as scaling, but also during everyday activities like chewing, brushing, or flossing, particularly in patients with active periodontitis.
Once circulating through the body, these bacteria can provoke an inflammatory response in blood vessels. Research suggests this inflammation may contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD).
ACVD is a group of conditions caused by atherosclerosis, where arteries become clogged with fatty deposits called atheroma. These deposits cause the arteries to harden and narrow, restricting blood flow. If an atheroma ruptures, it can form a blood clot that blocks blood supply to the heart, leading to a heart attack, or to the brain, causing a stroke.
ACVD includes:
- Coronary heart disease, such as angina and heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Ischaemic cerebrovascular disease, including stroke and transient ischaemic attack (mini-stroke)
- Peripheral vascular disease
Studies have consistently shown that people with moderate to severe gum disease are more likely to develop cardiovascular problems than those with healthy gums. While gum disease does not directly cause heart disease, it may worsen existing risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or raised cholesterol.
Inflammation: The Common Thread
The key link between gum disease and heart disease lies in systemic inflammation. Periodontitis does not just damage the gums and bone around the teeth, it can act as a significant source of inflammation throughout the body.
Inflammation is known to play a central role in many chronic diseases associated with ageing, including cardiovascular disease. When periodontitis is left untreated, the repeated inflammatory responses triggered by bacteraemia can contribute to the development, maturation, and instability of fatty lesions within the arteries. This increases the risk of an adverse cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.
The risk of bacteraemia is higher in patients with periodontitis than in those with healthy gums, which is why managing gum disease effectively is so important for long-term health.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Anyone can develop gum disease, but certain factors increase the likelihood of both periodontal disease and cardiovascular problems. Smoking, diabetes, chronic stress, poor diet, and a family history of heart disease all play a role.
Hormonal changes, pregnancy, and some medications can also make gums more prone to inflammation. If you already have heart disease or another inflammatory condition, maintaining excellent periodontal health is particularly important, as your body may be less able to cope with repeated inflammatory challenges.
At Pure Periodontics, patients with underlying medical conditions are carefully assessed and supported with personalised treatment plans designed to protect both oral and general health.
Signs Your Gums May Need Attention
Gum disease often develops quietly and is rarely painful, which means it can go unnoticed for years. Common warning signs include bleeding when brushing or flossing, swollen or tender gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, or teeth that feel loose.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a specialist periodontist as early as possible. Early intervention can help reverse inflammation, stabilise gum health, and reduce potential risks to your wider health.
How Periodontal Treatment Can Support Heart Health
At Pure Periodontics, Dr Neesha Patel provides advanced periodontal treatment aimed at controlling infection, reducing inflammation, and stabilising the tissues that support your teeth.
Treatment commonly begins with scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning, to remove bacteria and plaque from below the gumline. This reduces bacterial load and helps the gums heal. In more advanced cases, additional therapies such as laser treatment or regenerative procedures may be recommended.
Importantly, studies have shown that treating periodontitis can reduce systemic inflammation, including lowering levels of C-reactive protein, a pro-inflammatory marker known to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. By controlling gum disease, periodontal treatment may therefore have benefits that extend beyond the mouth.
How to Protect Both Your Gums and Heart
Daily oral care plays a vital role in reducing inflammation. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and avoid smoking. A balanced diet, stress management, and regular dental visits also help keep inflammation under control.
For patients who have already received periodontal treatment, ongoing maintenance appointments every three to four months are essential. These visits help prevent bacteria from recolonising periodontal pockets and allow early detection of any relapse.
Specialist Periodontal Care in the City of London
Under the expert care of Dr Neesha Patel, Pure Periodontics in the centre of the City of London provides specialist gum treatment and long-term periodontal maintenance in a calm, modern clinical setting. Dr Patel’s approach combines clinical precision, prevention, and patient education, helping patients understand the powerful connection between oral health and overall wellbeing.
Whether you are concerned about gum disease symptoms or looking to protect your general health, specialist periodontal care can play a key role in keeping you well.
The Bottom Line
Your mouth and body are closely connected. Gum disease doesn’t just affect your smile, it can contribute to systemic inflammation and may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease if left untreated.
By maintaining healthy gums with specialist periodontal care, you’re not only protecting your teeth but also supporting your heart health.
If you’re seeking expert gum disease treatment or periodontal care in the City of London, book a consultation with Dr Neesha Patel at Pure Periodontics and take a positive step towards a healthier mouth and a healthier heart.