How is gum disease related to heart disease? 

Your knee bone’s connected to your thigh bone. But did you know your gums may also have a connection to your heart?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, affects the tissues that support your teeth. Research has also found an association between gum disease and cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack and stroke.

That doesn’t mean gum disease causes heart disease. But taking care of your gums is an important part of taking care of your overall health. Here’s how to recognize gum disease symptoms, understand how the condition progresses and know when to get treatment.

"I consider diligent oral care as important as regular exercise, good sleep, and a healthy diet for overall wellness," says Gina Serraiocco, M.D., an integrative medicine doctor with Sutter. 

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If it isn’t removed through regular brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar and irritate the tissues around your teeth.

Early signs of gum disease may include gums that are red, swollen or bleed easily. As gum disease progresses, you may also notice:

• Gums pulling away from your teeth
• Loose or sensitive teeth
• Pain while chewing
• Persistent bad breath

Receding gums can create pockets around your teeth where bacteria collect, allowing the infection and inflammation to spread deeper into the tissues that support your teeth.

Stages of gum disease

Gingivitis is the earliest and mildest form of gum disease. Your gums may look red or swollen or bleed when you brush or floss. At this stage, the condition can usually be reversed with good oral hygiene and professional dental care.

If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can progress to periodontitis. As the disease advances, pockets can form between your gums and teeth and infection can damage the tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place.

Periodontitis can range from mild to advanced. As more supporting tissue and bone are lost, you may develop persistent bad breath, pain while chewing or loose teeth. In advanced cases, teeth may eventually need to be removed. 

How gum disease may affect your heart

Research has linked periodontal disease with a higher risk of cardiovascular conditions, including heart attack, stroke and atrial fibrillation. But researchers are still studying exactly how oral and heart health are connected.

One possible connection is inflammation. Gum disease causes chronic inflammation in your mouth, and bacteria from infected gums can enter your bloodstream. Researchers are studying whether these processes may contribute to inflammation and changes in blood vessels that are associated with cardiovascular disease.

The relationship is complicated because gum disease and heart disease also share some risk factors, including smoking, age and obesity. And while keeping your gums healthy has many benefits, researchers haven’t established that treating gum disease prevents heart attacks or strokes.

Oral health is also connected to metabolic health. People with diabetes are at increased risk of gum disease, and periodontal inflammation can make blood sugar management more challenging. Treating gum disease may help improve blood glucose control, reinforcing the importance of addressing oral health as part of comprehensive diabetes care.

How gum disease is treated

Treatment depends on how far gum disease has progressed. The goal is to control the infection and protect the tissues and bone that support your teeth.

Good oral hygiene — including brushing and flossing regularly and seeing your dentist for routine care — can help reverse gingivitis and prevent gum disease from progressing. If you smoke or use tobacco, quitting can also improve your gum health.

If you have periodontitis, your dentist or periodontist may recommend scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline and smooths the roots of your teeth.

More advanced gum disease may require additional treatment, including medication or surgery. Your dental care team can recommend the approach that’s right for you based on the health of your gums and the extent of the disease.

Keep your mouth and heart healthy

Healthy gums aren’t just important for keeping your teeth. Your oral health is one part of your overall health, and regular dental care can help catch gum disease before it causes lasting damage.

If your gums frequently bleed, feel swollen or painful or seem to be pulling away from your teeth, make an appointment with your dentist. And if you have concerns about your cardiovascular health or risk factors for heart disease, talk to your primary care doctor.