Brush Your Teeth, Help Your Heart

Participants who had a dominance of bacteria that cause gum disease had thicker carotid arteries.

Taking into account other risk factors that might contribute to atherosclerosis did not change the results.

How do bacteria in the mouth affect the heart? Possibly, the bacteria enter the bloodstream, traveling to the rest of the body and provoking inflammation which results in the clogging of arteries, says Desvarieux in a news release. That needs further study, and the findings should be confirmed, say the researchers.

Desvarieux is on staff with Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the University of Minnesota.

Good Gums, Healthier Heart

Of course, there are lots of ways to help your heart. Diet and exercise are important. So are handling stress appropriately, not smoking, and being screened for high blood pressure, diabetes, or other health problems. Medication, surgery, and/or lifestyle change might be needed.

Brushing and flossing your teeth don't replace those steps. But they're certainly two of the easiest ways to take better care of your heart.

SOURCES: Desvarieux, M., Circulation, Feb. 8, 2005; vol 111: pp 576-582. American Heart Association, "Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics -- 2005 Update." News release, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.