Brush Your Teeth To Prevent Heart Disease

Over 20 years ago I coined a phrase that has become central to everything I teach about exercise. When speaking to an audience there is an obvious reaction from practically everyone when I quote it. It’s a reaction mixed with laughter and guilt. The statement is as follows, “It’s far better to brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes a day, than for 45 minutes, 2-3 times a month.” You see, it’s my contention that that’s precisely where most people fail with fitness… they never develop the daily habit of exercise, but rather put it in the “I’ll get to it later when I have more time” category. The key missing ingredient is habit!

With that said, who would have thought that, as it relates to preventative health, brushing your teeth is as important as exercise. A new study indicates that brushing your teeth is not only good for preventing tooth decay, it also decreases your chances of suffering a heart attack.

Researchers in England analyzed data from more than 11,000 people taking part in a study called the Scottish Health Survey. They examined lifestyle habits such as smoking, overall physical activity, and oral health routines.

Patients were asked whether they visited a dentist at least once every six months, every two years, rarely, or never. They were also asked how often they brushed their teeth — twice daily, once a day, or less than every day.

The researchers found that: 62% of participants said they went to a dentist every six months. 71% said they brushed their teeth twice a day.

After adjusting the data for cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, smoking, social class, and family heart disease history, the researchers found that people who admitted to brushing their teeth less frequently had a 70% higher risk of heart disease.

The findings of the study were not necessarily shocking because scientists have increasingly wondered about a possible connection between dental disease and cardiovascular health. Scientists say, “Inflammation plays an important role in markers of low grade inflammation have been consistently associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Poor oral hygiene is the major cause of periodontal disease, a chronic infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth. Thus, gum infections seem to add to the inflammatory burden on individuals, increasing cardiovascular risk.

So, don’t forget to brush your teeth. And, make sure you stay in the habit of giving your body the exercise it needs every day.