Regular cleanings and heart health are more closely linked than most people realize, because gum inflammation does not stay in your mouth. Here is what research shows and what it means for you. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, every cleaning is a full 60 minutes with Dr. Steven Haywood's team.
Coming in for a cleaning every six months can feel like one more thing on a busy calendar. When nothing hurts, it is tempting to skip it. But the benefits of regular cleanings go beyond fresh breath and a bright smile. A growing body of research suggests that a healthy mouth may also support a healthy heart.
What the research shows
Large studies have followed people over many years and found that those who had their teeth professionally cleaned regularly tended to have fewer heart attacks and strokes than people who skipped cleanings. Studies like these show a link, not proof that cleanings prevent heart disease, but the pattern has been seen again and again.
The researchers were careful to point out a limit. People who keep up with dental cleanings may also be more likely to exercise, eat well and see their doctors. A study like this shows a link, not proof that cleanings prevent heart attacks. Even so, it adds to many other studies that connect gum health with heart health.
The American Heart Association has reviewed the evidence and concluded that gum disease and heart disease are associated, but that research has not yet shown that one causes the other. In plain terms: people with gum disease have more heart problems, scientists are still working out exactly why, and keeping your gums healthy is a sensible step either way.
How gum disease may affect the heart
Gum disease is a long-term infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It starts as gingivitis, with red, puffy gums that bleed easily. Left untreated, it can become periodontitis, which damages the bone around the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. Our post on gum disease and tooth loss explains how it progresses.
Researchers have several ideas about how gum disease and heart disease may be connected:
- Inflammation. Gum disease keeps the body's inflammatory response switched on. Long-term inflammation plays a role in hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
- Bacteria in the bloodstream. Inflamed gums bleed easily, which can let mouth bacteria enter the blood. Some of these bacteria have been found in the fatty deposits of diseased arteries.
- Shared risk factors. Smoking, diabetes, poor diet and stress raise the risk of both gum disease and heart disease.
Whatever the exact link turns out to be, inflamed, bleeding gums are not healthy for your mouth or the rest of your body.
What a professional cleaning does
Brushing and flossing at home remove soft plaque. But plaque that is missed hardens into tartar within days, and tartar cannot be brushed away. It collects along and just under the gum line, where it irritates the gums and shelters bacteria.
A professional cleaning removes that tartar and polishes the teeth so plaque has a harder time sticking. At Southern York Smile Care, cleanings are a full 60 minutes, which leaves time to clean thoroughly and to check the health of your gums. Each visit typically includes:
- Removal of plaque and tartar above and just below the gum line
- Measuring the small pockets between your gums and teeth to catch early gum disease
- A check-up with Dr. Haywood, including an oral cancer screening
- Digital X-rays when needed, with up to 90% less radiation than older film
- Tips for your home routine based on what the team sees
Cleanings also remove surface stains, so your teeth look brighter when you leave. Learn more on our dental cleanings page.
How often should you have a cleaning?
In that research, people who kept up with regular cleanings did best. Dr. Haywood recommends a check-up and cleaning every six months for most patients. That schedule catches small problems early, when they are simpler and less costly to fix.
Some patients need visits more often, every three or four months, including people with:
- Current or past gum disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease or a history of stroke
- A smoking habit
- Dental implants or many crowns and bridges
Our article on how often to get a dental check-up covers this in more detail.
Treating gum disease
If your gums are already inflamed, a regular cleaning may not be enough. Treatment may include deep cleaning below the gum line, laser care with the Picasso laser and more frequent visits until the gums are stable. Oral DNA tests can identify the specific bacteria behind gum disease, which helps guide treatment. See our gum disease treatments page.
If you have a heart condition, let the team know at your visit, along with a list of your medications. Some heart conditions and blood thinners call for extra precautions, and Dr. Haywood may coordinate with your doctor.
Daily habits for a healthy mouth and heart
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or a water flosser.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean protein, and limit sugar.
- Keep diabetes and blood pressure under control with your doctor's help.
- Stay active and drink water through the day.
Many of the habits that protect your heart also protect your gums.
Warning signs to watch for between visits
Gum disease is often painless, so it is easy to miss. Call for a check if you notice any of these:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Gums that seem to be pulling away from the teeth
- Bad breath or a bad taste that does not go away
- Teeth that feel loose or a bite that feels different
Bleeding gums are never normal, even if they do not hurt. Found early, gingivitis can usually be reversed with a thorough cleaning and better daily care. Our post you may have gingivitis explains the early stage.
If it has been a while
Many people stay away from the dentist for years because they feel embarrassed or anxious. There is no judgment at Southern York Smile Care. The team will start where you are and make a plan one step at a time. For patients who feel nervous, the office offers oral sedation.
Schedule your next cleaning
A cleaning every six months is a small investment of time with benefits for your smile and possibly your whole body. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment online. The office is at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA, and serves patients from Shrewsbury, York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
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