Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • Sleep
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
A Habit That’s Good For Your Heart
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Bulletins

A Habit That’s Good For Your Heart

Brush Your Teeth For Heart Health | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
1 min

The trick is to brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. A Japanese study presented at the 2018 American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions meeting in November investigated how often 682 people brushed their teeth – and for how long. The researchers found that those who reported brushing less often than twice a day for less than two minutes at a time had three times the risk of having – or dying from – a heart attack, heart failure or stroke as those who did brush for two minutes twice a day. Earlier studies revealed a link between heart disease and periodontal disease, which consists of gum infection, gum inflammation and tooth damage. The Japanese research didn’t delve into whether changing brushing habits could reduce the heart disease risk seen, but another study published in October 2018 found that gum disease appears to worsen blood pressure and interferes with medications to treat hypertension, which is a significant risk factor for heart disease.

My take? We’ve known for some time that the bacteria present in gum infections can also lead to or worsen atherosclerosis, the arterial disease that often precipitates heart attacks and strokes. If these bacteria aren’t eliminated or reduced, they can initiate an inflammatory response that promotes a gradual thickening of artery walls throughout the body. To help avoid this, you should schedule regular dental checkups so that any gum disease can be identified and treated promptly. And, of course, it is vital to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to avoid the buildup of small amounts of food that attract and nourish bacteria.

Source:
American Heart Association, “Bad Tooth-Brushing Habits Tied to Higher Heart Risks,” presentation at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2018, Dallas, TX, November 7, 2018.

Also in this week’s bulletin:

  • New Weight Loss Insight: Weighing In
  • Bugs In The Bathroom
  • Recipe: Brown Rice Soup With Asparagus

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.

junk food cause arthritis
Bone & Joint

Does Junk Food Cause Arthritis?

tooth loss cause heart disease
Dental & Oral

Does Tooth Loss Cause Heart Disease?

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

What Determines A Good Night’s Sleep? | Dr. Weil
Bulletins

What Determines A Good Night’s Sleep?

Eczema Prevention Might Start In The Gut | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Eczema Prevention Might Start In The Gut

Later Breakfast, Higher Diabetes Risk? | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Later Breakfast, Higher Diabetes Risk?

For Healthy Lungs, Consider Omega-3s | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

For Healthy Lungs, Consider Omega-3s

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
What Determines A Good Night’s Sleep? | Dr. Weil
Bulletins

What Determines A Good Night’s Sleep?

Eczema Prevention Might Start In The Gut | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Eczema Prevention Might Start In The Gut

Daily Tips
Watching Your Weight? Reach For The Almonds!
Health Tips

Want To Shed Pounds? Reach For The Almonds!

More Gracefully Aging Tips For Women
Health Tips

Aging With Grace: 2 Suggestions To Consider

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright 2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com