It has long been acknowledged in medical teachings that a strong connection exists between bacteria build up in the mouth and the systemic impact that has on overall heart health. Our mouths are a primary source of entry for many types of bacteria. Without proper management, oral bacteria create doorways into the body. These bacteria find their way to the heart muscle and deposit proteins that damage the heart.

Medical Science has now discovered more explanation revealing that gum disease and inflammation not only affects the heart and vessels forming disease and disfunction but also contribute to inflammation in other organs and body systems. (A. Tran., 2025)

A study from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology shares advancing information. This long-term clinical study found a correlation between protein gum buildup in patients with gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. These two conditions normally exist unrelated. However, this finding suggested a connection leading researchers to wonder if having gum protein cell build up could advance beyond the heart since the same bacteria existed in other body areas with inflammation. (E. Darrah, 2017).

Therefore, poor attention to dental health has a high probability to increase disease processes and inflammation in the body that might not exist otherwise.

So, do opportunities for better care and improved health exist? Absolutely! Education is the starting point. Next is creating habits that lead to improved health. Some ideas to start this process include:

• Regular checkups to a primary care doctor and dentist
• Daily brushing teeth-ideally 2 times a day
• Limit continual exposure to sugary drinks and snacks
• Rinse mouth with water after meals
• Avoid smoking. Smoking studies have found it to be a major contributor to gum
  disease (Leite, 2018)

Think abouts:

Just like everyone has a thumbprint, the tongue has an individualized print as well. True or false?

The tongue is the only muscle in the human body that works without any support from the skeleton. True or false?

Modern toothpaste became readily available in tubes in what year by Colgate? a. 1873 b. 1890. c. 1919

Answers:

Answers: True. True. b.1890

Sources:

American Heart Association, https://www.newsroomheart.org (2025, December 16). /Gum
Disease may be linked to plaque in arteries, higher risk of CVD events, A. Trans.
Johns Hopkins Rheumatology.org (2017, January 23). /Gum Disease linked to Rheumatoid
Arthritis. E. Darrell, 8 (369):369ra176
CDC and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Oral health facts. /CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealthfacts/fastfacts. Leite, 2018.
https://www.colgate.com (2023, January 9). The Ancient History of Toothbrushes and
Toothpaste

Vonda Jennings, RN, BSN
FLOM Clinic Volunteer
February, 2026