Oral Bacteria Could Lead to a Heart Attack and Eye Disease

a senior man rinsing out oral bacteria at the dentist's office Did you know that periodontal disease and cavities are significant threats to oral health? In children, tooth decay is about five times more prevalent than asthma, and seven times more common than inhaled allergies. Adults lose teeth mostly from untreated periodontal disease. Untreated oral disease has resulted in 15% of people over the age of 65 having all their teeth removed.¹ Severe tooth loss resulting in fewer than 8 teeth remaining affects 26% of seniors.² Untreated tooth decay in permanent teeth plagues 53 million adults in America.³

Oral diseases are a widespread but often overlooked problem, hitting underserved groups the hardest—particularly children, seniors, and racial or ethnic minorities. These disparities in oral health are made worse by the reality that untreated cavities keep growing over time, making them increasingly challenging and costly to fix. Unfortunately, most dental care is not covered by medical insurance, or coverage is limited.

Oral Bacteria and Periodontal Disease Linked to Disease

The mouth acts as an entry point to the entire body, and growing research highlights the connection between oral health and overall wellness. Many systemic conditions—including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease—can show early warning signs in the mouth. Harmful oral bacteria have the potential to enter the bloodstream, contributing to serious health problems throughout the body.⁴

Periodontal disease is linked to these key health conditions:

Cardiovascular Disease

Gum disease has a direct connection to artery inflammation and is associated with a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, elevated blood pressure, and increased levels of the “bad” LDL cholesterol.⁵ ⁶

Cancer

There is a significant association between gum disease and various cancers, such as pancreatic, lung, and blood cancers. The use of tobacco products like smoking or chewing tobacco further heightens the risk of developing oral cancer, highlighting the importance of early detection for better outcomes.

Diabetes

Strong clinical and epidemiological studies confirm a clear link between diabetes and gum disease.⁷ ⁸ ⁹ Periodontal disease can make it harder to manage blood sugar, which can worsen diabetes complications or raise the risk of developing the condition. It’s estimated that about 95% of adults with diabetes also experience some form of gum disease.¹⁰ ¹¹

Alzheimer’s Disease

Research suggests that oral bacteria may play a role in the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Poor dental hygiene can cause gum inflammation, and bacteria from the mouth may travel to the brain, damaging brain cells and possibly contributing to memory loss. Higher levels of these bacteria have been detected in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s.¹² ¹³

Obesity

Research from Johns Hopkins University has identified a link between the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans bacteria, gum disease, and obesity.

Kidney Disease

Poor oral health can cause inflammation and infections that spread through the bloodstream, making it harder for the body to combat additional infections.

Respiratory Issues

Oral bacteria can make their way into the lungs—either by being inhaled or through the bloodstream—which may contribute to respiratory infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, and other lung diseases.

COVID-19

Both gum disease and respiratory conditions are associated with increased systemic inflammation. Since COVID-19 also causes an inflammatory response, individuals with advanced periodontal disease face a greater risk of experiencing severe complications from the virus.¹⁴

Rheumatoid Arthritis

People with rheumatoid arthritis experience an inflammatory response that closely resembles the inflammation seen in gum disease.

High-Risk Pregnancy

Research published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth shows that women with gum disease face a sixfold increase in the risk of premature delivery. The oral bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum has been identified in the amniotic fluid, placenta, and membranes of women who have experienced preterm births.¹⁵

Oral Bacteria in Arterial Plaque – Study

In an examination of arterial plaques collected from more than 200 patients with coronary artery disease, a team of scientists led by Tampere University in Finland found that a surprisingly high percentage of the plaques contained oral bacteria. The focus of their study was one of the main drivers of heart attack: atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of plaque—made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other materials—on the walls of the coronary arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, limits blood flow, and can occasionally rupture. When oxygen can’t reach the heart due to these blockages, it can lead to cardiac arrest.

Researchers discovered a strong link between the presence of certain oral bacteria and severe atherosclerosis, as well as deaths related to heart disease and heart attacks—especially when plaque rupture occurred. Tests showed biofilms made up of various oral bacteria, most commonly from the viridans streptococci group. Oral streptococci were identified in 42.1% of coronary plaques from individuals who died suddenly and in 42.9% of plaques from patients who underwent surgery.¹⁶

Tooth Decay and Vision Health

Eye Infections

Bacteria in the mouth can spread to the eyes through the tear ducts or bloodstream. This inflammation can cause conjunctivitis (pink eye), scleritis (inflammation of the white part of the eye), and other eye infections.

Glaucoma

Inflammation plays a major role in periodontitis, and recent findings have suggested that patients with this gum disease may also be at higher risk of glaucoma development and progression.¹⁷ Researchers sought to investigate this matter in a recent study for Journal of Glaucoma and indeed found a strong association between both conditions, especially in patients aged 40 and older, men and those with diabetes.

A 2021 retrospective case-control study examined the relationship between gum disease and glaucoma. The findings showed that adults aged 70 to 79 with glaucoma had a significantly higher rate of periodontal disease compared to those without glaucoma.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Gum disease can reduce saliva production, leading to dryness in the eyes as well as the mouth. One study suggested an association between periodontitis and the severity of signs and symptoms related to dry eye disease, using comparative measures such as tear osmolarity levels, increased Ocular Surface Disease Index scores (OSDI), and decreased tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer (ST-I) for those with dry eye disease. This connection was not seen for those without periodontal disease.¹⁸

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Some research suggests that poor oral health may be a risk factor for AMD, a common cause of vision loss in older adults. Researchers in one large-scale study found that systemic low-grade inflammation present in periodontitis could be related to the type of inflammation found in patients with age-related macular degeneration, representing a potential association between the diseases.¹⁹

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease and Excessive Mouth Bacteria

Keep your mouth healthy by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing consistently, and scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings.

Treat gum disease promptly.

Keep your regularly scheduled appointments regarding check-ups and cleanings with your dentist or oral hygienist.

Suggested Supplements

Dr. Grossman’s Complete Eye Formula 2oz (oral spray)

Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye and Dr. G’s Whole Food Superfood Multi1 20 Vcap Combo – 2 months supply

ReVision Formula (wild-crafted herbal formula) 2 oz – based on classic Chinese medicine Liver tonic formula to help support healthy circulation and blood flow throughout the eyes and body.

Dr. Grossman’s Circulation and Optic Nerve Support Formula

Eagle Vision 100 caps 500mg each – Tonifies the liver, nourishes blood, and benefits the eyes and vision.

Dr. Grossman’s Bilberry/Ginkgo Combination 2oz (60ml)

H2 Elite Molecular Hydrogen 60 tabs

NMN Wonderfeel Capsul 60 vegcaps