You risk it every night: This bedtime habit quietly harms your heart
Why not brushing your teeth is harmful (photo: Freepik)
Skipping brushing your teeth at night can have consequences not only for oral health but also for the cardiovascular system. There is an increased risk of inflammatory processes that can affect heart function, according to Eating Well.
Why skipping brushing is harmful
Skipping brushing your teeth before bed matters because of what happens in your mouth during sleep. Saliva production decreases at night, giving plaque and bacteria more time to remain on teeth and gums.
Over time, this can worsen gum inflammation, which is linked to inflammation of blood vessels and an increased risk of heart disease.
Dentist Sandeep Sahar said that poor oral hygiene is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. This link may be due to inflammation and the spread of bacteria from the mouth into the bloodstream, where they can cause inflammation in blood vessels and other parts of the body.
“[Nighttime brushing] is one of those things we should treat just like any other [cardiovascular] risk factor,” said cardiologist Wahaj Aman.
The importance of brushing teeth
Brushing your teeth before bed removes plaque and bacteria that have built up during the day, reducing the risk of both gum problems and heart disease. If plaque and food particles remain on teeth and gums overnight, bacteria have more time to grow and irritate gum tissue.
Morning brushing is still important for oral health, but it may not fully compensate for skipping nighttime brushing.
Brushing in the morning improves breath and removes overnight buildup, but it does not protect teeth and gums during the long hours of reduced saliva production while you sleep.
Healthy habits for dental health
These habits can help support both oral and heart health:
- Brush and floss your teeth before bed
- Monitor your oral hygiene and gum-related symptoms
- Reduce added sugar intake, especially sugary drinks late in the evening (added sugar feeds oral bacteria and negatively affects heart health)
- Focus on foods rich in fiber and vitamin C, and limit salt, sugar, and saturated fats
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
