Oral health and heart attack: Exploring the link
By: Dr Syed Ubaid Bukhari
Not many people know that our oral health is closely related to our heart health. Poor oral hygiene, resulting in gum disease (periodontitis), is linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
Over time, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart, potentially causing heart issues. However, when it comes to dental procedures like Root canal (a dental procedure to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth), is there a direct link? We take a look at the connection.
Infection can enter the bloodstream
One of the main concerns is that bacteria from infected teeth or root canals can enter the bloodstream. When the root canal or surrounding tissue is infected, bacteria may spread beyond the mouth and travel through the blood to other parts of the body, including the heart.
Like explained earlier, this bacteria can cause inflammation in blood vessels or heart tissues, which over time can indeed cause a heart attack. Studies have found that bacteria involved in root canal infections, such as Porphyromonas endodontalis, can contribute to cardiovascular disease, by entering the bloodstream.
Chronic inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection and usually subsides on its own, when the infection is healed. However, chronic infections in the root canal area cause ongoing inflammation in the body, which is extremely dangerous.
This, in turn, can damage blood vessels, leading to the buildup of plaques in arteries—a process called atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis narrows arteries in the long-term, and can block blood flow to the heart, either partially or fully, leading to heart attacks. However, this process usually takes months or even years, and does not occur overnight.
Poor oral health can lead to heart disease
Poor dental health in general, including untreated tooth infections, poor oral hygiene like gum diseases, have a higher risk of heart attacks. Studies have proven that the high risk of systemic diseases like SABE, heart attacks, mouth cancers, cysts and tumours, OSMF etc are directly linked with the poor oral hygiene.
The patients with systemic diseases like diabetes mellitus, CVDs, URI have to take very strict care of their oral health.
Increase in bacteria
During a dental infection, there is a very high chance that bacteria can enter the bloodstream temporarily. This is called bacteremia. Although usually harmless in healthy people, bacteremia can cause problems in people with existing heart conditions or weakened immune systems.
This bacterial spread can trigger inflammation, or infect heart valves increasing the risk of heart complications, although this remains rare. Experts agree that when root canals are done properly, the risk is quite low, and there is no strong evidence that root canal treatment directly causes heart attacks in healthy individuals. Studies have shown that the periodontal infections will lead to Subacute bacterial endocarditis (SABE).
Overall health
If a dental infection is left untreated, it can lead to chronic endodontic lesions—which are areas of infection and inflammation around the tooth root. These chronic infections act as a breeding ground of bacteria and inflammation in the body, and can make one extremely sick.
Doctors say that such chronic dental infections may worsen atherosclerosis, and increase the chance of cardiovascular events. The chance of changing these infections into cysts and tumours are very high. Treating these infections immediately can help reduce this risk.
(The author can be reached at ubaidbukharisyed@gmail.com)
