Consider this your oral hygiene wake-up call. The health of your arteries is being directly linked to the health of your mouth. A failure to manage oral bacteria could lead to atherosclerosis.
The danger is chronic inflammation. This condition often starts in the gums, triggered by bacterial plaque. An old toothbrush with ineffective bristles is a major reason this plaque isn’t removed.
When gums are inflamed, they become a source of infection for the whole body. The 700 bacterial species in the mouth can get into the blood, along with inflammatory signals.
This systemic, low-grade infection is a major stressor on the heart. It contributes to the plaque buildup in the arteries, causing them to stiffen and narrow.
This is why people with untreated gum disease have nearly double the risk of heart disease. The simplest preventive step you can take is to heed the wake-up call and replace your toothbrush every 90 days.