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!
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:
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.
According to Colgate,lifestyle factors that may increase your risk of gum disease include:
These lifestyle factors overlap with risk factors associated with heart disease. Lifestyle choices that may increase your risk of heart failure include:
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.
To improve your oral health, apply senior wellness tips like:
Make sure to floss every day. Flossing daily may help lower your risk of:
Your dentist can provide personalized tips. Let them know if you're concerned about your heart health.
Common signs of bad oral health include:
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:
"Silent" symptoms of heart failure can include:
Consult your physician or cardiologist if you experience these symptoms. Symptoms may occur quickly or over the span of a few months.
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.