A silent inflammatory process in your mouth could be paving the way for serious heart disease. Experts are pointing to chronic gum inflammation as a direct contributor to atherosclerosis, or the hardening of arteries.
This inflammation is often caused by a simple oversight: using an old toothbrush. After a few months, bristles become frayed and lose their ability to remove plaque, the bacterial film that irritates the gums.
When gums are chronically inflamed, they become a weak point in the body’s defenses. This allows oral bacteria and inflammatory byproducts to enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.
This systemic, low-grade infection is a major stressor on the cardiovascular system. These circulating inflammatory agents are believed to help form the plaque deposits that narrow and stiffen arteries.
The risk is significant, with untreated gum disease sufferers being nearly twice as likely to have heart issues. The primary rule of prevention? Change your toothbrush every 90 days to stop inflammation at its source.