Flossing and Heart Health: What's the Link for Seniors?
There is a link between flossing and heart health. Failing to floss increases the spread of bacteria, which may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. You can discover preventive care in assisted living to improve your overall health.
According to the World Health Organization, oral disease affects nearly 3.7 billion people. However, many people don't recognize the link between daily hygiene and heart health. Prioritizing your oral health is a heart-healthy habit that can improve your longevity.
What exactly is the link between flossing and heart health? Failing to floss daily could allow bacteria to spread, increasing your risk of oral health issues that are linked with cardiovascular disease. Neglecting your oral health could increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Want to improve your oral and heart health during your retirement in Cedar Hill, TX? Read on for our senior wellness tips!
What Is the Link Between Flossing and Heart Health?
According to the American Heart Association, flossing may help reduce your risk for stroke and irregular heart rhythm. People who floss at least once a week have a lower risk of strokes caused by blood clots coming from the heart.Their risk of an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation, or AFib), which can lead to stroke, also decreases.
According to these findings, only 65% of people floss at least once a week. Compared to non-flossers, people who flossed experienced a 22% lower risk of an ischemic stroke. Their risk of cardioembolic stroke decreased by 44%, and their risk of AFib decreased by 12%.
There is a link between daily hygiene and heart health. According to Harvard Health Publishing, people with poor oral health have higher rates of cardiovascular problems. This may occur as:
- Bacteria in the mouth travel to blood vessels elsewhere in the body
- Bacteria cause blood vessel inflammation and damage, leading to tiny blood clots, heart attack, and stroke
- Inflammation (the body's immune response) causes vascular damage throughout the body (including the heart and brain)
Neglecting to floss allows food particles and bacteria to linger between your teeth. The bacteria can harden into plaque (a filmy substance that sticks to our teeth and gums). When left unattended, plaque hardens into tartar, which can release acid.
This acid can erode our teeth. It may cause gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease). Gum disease can cause inflammation, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular events.
Schedule regular appointments with your cardiologist and dentist. They can offer senior wellness tips to improve your heart and oral health.
What Lifestyle Increases Gum Disease Risk?
According to Colgate,lifestyle factors that may increase your risk of gum disease include:
- Poor oral hygiene (failing to brush and floss)
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Stress
- Poor nutrition
- Obesity
- Certain systemic diseases (including cardiovascular disease)
- Certain medications
- Hormonal changes
- Age and genetics
These lifestyle factors overlap with risk factors associated with heart disease. Lifestyle choices that may increase your risk of heart failure include:
- Not getting enough exercise/living a sedentary lifestyle
- Taking too many pain relievers
- Eating a poor diet (eating too much processed sugar and saturated fat)
- Not practicing good oral hygiene
- Chronic stress/poor mental health
Explore your senior living community's exclusive senior lifestyle programs to make healthy changes to your routine. For example, you can find heart-healthy dishes through their dining program.Consider following the DASH diet, which was named the "Best Heart-Healthy Diet" and "Best Diet for High Blood Pressure" in 2025 by the US News & World Report.
Instead of living a sedentary lifestyle, explore your community's fitness program. Schedule 150 minutes of aerobic activity into your week. These heart-smart habits can strengthen your heart and improve your mood.
To relieve stress, explore your community's events and activities calendar. Adopting hobbies can improve your mood and enhance your sense of purpose in life. Relieving stress may help reduce your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Oral Health Aging Tips
To improve your oral health, apply senior wellness tips like:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Flossing before bed
- Taking all medications as prescribed by your physician
- Tracking medication side effects and informing your doctor
- Avoiding tobacco/smoking
- Eating a heart-healthy diet that's rich in nutrients
- Reducing your intake of added sugars and processed foods
- Sharing your medical history with your dentist
Make sure to floss every day. Flossing daily may help lower your risk of:
- Systemic inflammation
- Incident ischemic stroke
- Cardioembolic stroke
- Atrial fibrillation
Your dentist can provide personalized tips. Let them know if you're concerned about your heart health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Signs of Bad Oral Health?
Common signs of bad oral health include:
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Mouth sores
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Bad breath
- Dry mouth
- Bloody or sore gums
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods/beverages
- Jaw pain or popping in the jaw
- Toothaches
Consult a dentist if you experience these symptoms. They'll ensure you begin the proper treatment right away. Otherwise, you may experience complications (such as an infection that may spread through your bloodstream).
These complications may affect your heart health by causing:
- Strokes
- Coronary heart disease
- Diabetes
- Blood clots
What Are the Signs Your Heart Is Quietly Failing?
"Silent" symptoms of heart failure can include:
- Swollen legs or ankles
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Nausea
- Feeling tired for most of the day
- Breathlessness after activity or while at rest
Consult your physician or cardiologist if you experience these symptoms. Symptoms may occur quickly or over the span of a few months.
Discover Preventive Care in Assisted Living
What's the connection between flossing and heart health? Flossing removes bacteria from your teeth. Otherwise, bacteria can spread through your bloodstream, increasing your risk of cardiovascular problems.
Remember, you can find preventive care in assisted living at Morada Cedar Hill. We're part of The Discovery Senior Living family of management companies, which ranked number one in Customer Satisfaction Among Assisted Living & Memory Care Communities in the JD Power 2025 US Senior Living Satisfaction Study.
We offer customizable senior living programs designed to improve your health and quality of life. Enjoy restaurant-style dining, daily activities like live music and weekly poker tournaments, or fitness classes like yoga. Contact us now to schedule your tour.