You’ve heard of plaque on your teeth, and you’ve heard of plaque in your arteries. Medical experts are confirming they are more closely related than you might imagine. The journey from one to the other is a story of bacteria and inflammation.
It begins in the mouth. When dental plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, is not removed, it causes an inflammatory response in the gums. This is your body’s attempt to fight off the oral bacteria.
However, if this inflammation becomes chronic, it compromises the barrier between your mouth and your bloodstream. Bacteria and inflammatory byproducts can “leak” into your circulation, spreading the problem throughout your body.
This systemic inflammation is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. These same bacteria and inflammatory molecules can lodge in the walls of your arteries, contributing to the buildup of the fatty plaques that clog blood vessels.
This is why an old, ineffective toothbrush is so dangerous. Its frayed bristles can’t remove the initial dental plaque, setting this entire dangerous process in motion. Replacing your brush every three months is a key step in breaking the link.
