November 8, 2023

The Scary Link Between Oral Health and Heart Disease

Last Updated:
April 1, 2025
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Oral health and overall health

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Ignoring Bad Teeth Risks Both Oral Health and Heart Disease

It’s easy to think of oral health as separate from the rest of your body—but it’s more connected than most people realize. Oral health and heart disease have an unsettling link that may make you think twice about your dental care routine.

Meet Floyd, a man who discovered the hard way that the condition of his teeth was more than just a cosmetic concern—it was a ticking time bomb affecting his overall health and well-being.

Floyd smiling after improving his oral health and heart disease with dental implants

Floyd's Story: More Than Just a Smile

‍Two years before finding Nuvia, Floyd was diagnosed with stage 4 heart failure. He had a gut feeling that his deteriorating dental health was a contributing factor. Over the years, he had lost several teeth, and the emotional toll was devastating. 

He felt like a lesser person, judged by society for his imperfect smile.

Floyd had tried other dentists but felt like a mere number on a chart. That was until he found Nuvia Dental Implant Center. For the first time, he felt seen, heard, and most importantly, not judged. After he underwent treatment, he found himself smiling freely, no longer hiding behind his hand. His wife, who had never seen him smile, was overjoyed. He was on his way to putting poor oral health and heart disease behind him.

Check out Floyd’s story here on Nuvia TV!

*Actual NUVIA patient(s) who may have been compensated for sharing their story. Not all those who come in for a consultation are eligible for this treatment. Results may vary in individual cases.

Oral Health and Heart Disease - More Connected Than You May Realize

‍Floyd's story is a wake-up call to all of us. Neglecting dental health doesn't just lead to cavities or gum disease; it can be a gateway to severe health issues like heart disease, osteoporosis, and even Alzheimer's.

The Heart of the Matter: Cardiovascular Risks

‍Teeth, health and heart. It’s all connected. 

When bad bacteria from your mouth get into your blood, they can cause swelling and block the blood vessels that lead to your heart. This can make it harder for your heart to get the blood it needs and might even lead to a heart attack. So if you think a sore tooth or bleeding gums aren’t a big deal, think again—taking care of your mouth also helps take care of your heart. Oral health and heart disease are both important to take seriously.

The Bone Connection

Bones in the mouth serve to hold your teeth in place.‍ But when infection creeps into the gums or teeth, this can spread into your bones and can weaken them or make them disappear completely.

When you have problems like gum disease,the swelling that happens in the gum tissue can cause you to lose bone in your jaw. And sadly, once you start losing bone in your jaw, it can not be reversed without surgery – Luckily some bone loss doesn’t disqualify from full mouth dental implants. Because of the bad bacteria eating your bone and flowing through your bloodstream, this can spread through your body to other bones

Bone loss in the mouth can be a warning sign for osteoporosis, a condition that makes your bones break more easily. The link between the health of your mouth and the health of your bones is so close that sometimes signs of osteoporosis can even show up on dental X-rays. So, taking care of your mouth is also a way to look out for your bones.

After bone loss Image

It Doesn’t Stop at Oral Health and Heart Disease: Risks of Alzheimer's

‍Recent studies have shown an increasingly strong connection between poor dental health and cognitive decline, including developing Alzheimer’s. The bacteria from gum disease can travel to the brain, triggering an immune system response that can lead to severe memory loss.

There is a plaque found in periodontal disease that is the same as in the brain of someone who has Alzheimer's. This plaque is thought to travel from the mouth of someone with periodontal disease, through the blood and into the brain. 

But Hope is Not Lost!

Even with multiple failing or missing teeth, it’s still possible to restore your oral health with full mouth dental implants.

If your personal health has been on the backburner while looking out for your family, now is the time to make it a priority so you can have the good health you need to continue to take care of your family. 

A healthy mouth is more than just a beautiful smile; it's often the first line of defense against conditions like heart disease, weak bones, and more.

Taking Care of Oral Health and Heart Disease with Dental Implants

Full mouth dental implants are a one and done solution for fixing missing and failing teeth. As a result, they can also have a significant impact on overall health.

Getting Dental Implants the Right Way 

Getting dental implants can look different depending on where you go. You can find yourself wearing a temporary set of dentures for up to 10+ months before getting your permanent teeth – OR you can get your permanent teeth 24 hours after your dental implants.

Here’s what makes the difference. Those who advertise “Teeth-in-a-Day®” methods are really referring to a decades old approach of having a patient wear an acrylic denture until their implants are healed and their provider is able to create permanent teeth.

Permanent teeth in 24 hours, Nuvia’s process uses an in-house lab to create a patient’s custom, permanent teeth ready for the patient in 24 hours. 

This makes it possible for dental implants to heal in a solid, rigid splint. Think of it like a cast, keeping the implants firmly in place so they don’t experience any small, damaging movements while they fuse with the jawbone. 

Find out if you may be eligible for permanent teeth in 24 hours with this 60-second quiz

Let Floyd's New Lease on Life Inspire You

‍After getting dental implants, Floyd not only regained his smile but also became a living testament to the transformative power of good dental health. He's now a firm believer that taking care of your teeth is not just cosmetic but a life-saving decision.

If Floyd's story doesn't convince you, let the facts speak for themselves. Dental health is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Don't wait for a health scare to take action. Your future self will thank you. 

Get the dental implant cost guide here for information about financing, cost comparisons, and more

Key Points

  • Oral health and heart disease are closely connected

  • Poor dental health can affect more than just your heart

  • Dental implants offer a life-changing, health-supporting solution

  • Permanent teeth in 24 hours improves oral health fast

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Lucy Steckler

SML MKR

Lucy Steckler manages the website at Nuvia Dental Implant Center. Having spent over a year being involved in dental content creation, she finds purpose in helping individuals find answers to their dental implant questions and learn more about the benefits of permanent teeth in 24 hours.

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