Cardiovascular health and the mouth: how can dental professionals help?

Kev Patel explores the link between oral and cardiovascular health, from the latest research to how dental professionals can support patients’ overall health.

There is growing evidence that oral health can influence more than just the teeth and gums. Recent research has suggested that treating chronic dental infection may be associated with improvements in wider health markers, including blood sugar, cholesterol and inflammation, all of which are relevant to cardiovascular health (Niazi, 2025). 

There has also been promising research suggesting that effective treatment of severe gum disease may help reduce inflammation associated with arterial disease (American Heart Association, 2025). While this does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it adds to the evidence that good oral health may play a role in supporting overall cardiovascular health. 

Oral health should not be considered entirely separately from general health. Conditions such as gum disease and chronic dental infections are associated with inflammation in the body, and inflammation is known to play a role in a range of long-term conditions, including cardiovascular disease. 

How dental professionals can support patients’ cardiovascular health

Dental professionals can play a supportive role by focusing on prevention and early management of oral disease. Identifying and treating gum disease is important for oral health and for reducing inflammation in the gums and supporting tissues. 

Dental teams are also perfectly placed to notice signs that may be linked to wider health issues. For example, bleeding gums, poor oral hygiene, or changes in oral health can sometimes be signs of a bigger issue such as poorly controlled diabetes. Appointments therefore provide an opportunity to reinforce general health advice. Supporting patients with smoking cessation, diet and effective oral hygiene can help address risk factors that are common to both oral disease and cardiovascular disease. 

It is also important to take a thorough medical history and identify patients with existing health conditions, including those at higher risk of complications such as infective endocarditis. In these cases, appropriate precautions and communication with other healthcare professionals are essential. 

Overall, the focus should be on helping patients understand that maintaining good oral health is part of looking after their general health, while being clear about the current evidence and not overstating the relationship. 

What is holding dental teams back from supporting wider health?

While dentistry has an important role in supporting overall health, there are challenges that can limit this in practice. Dental teams routinely provide advice on prevention, including oral hygiene, smoking cessation and diet – all of which are relevant to both oral and general health. 

However, access to dental care and time constraints within appointments can make it more difficult to focus on prevention consistently. In addition, dental care is often delivered separately from other areas of healthcare, which can make a more integrated approach to patient care harder to achieve, particularly for patients with complex medical needs. 

References

1. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/root-canal-treatment-reduces-heart-disease-and-diabetes-risk
2. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/gum-disease-may-be-linked-to-plaque-buildup-in-arteries-higher-risk-of-major-cvd-events

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