Oral Health = Brain and Heart Health
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Most of us brush our teeth before bed out of routine. It’s just something we’ve always been told to do for fresh breath, clean teeth, and to avoid cavities. But what if skipping this simple act is doing more than damaging your smile? A growing body of research suggests that neglecting your nightly oral hygiene, particularly brushing and flossing, could be putting your heart and even your brain at risk.
The Hidden Dangers of Skipping Nightly Brushing
A recent study has confirmed what dental professionals have suspected for years: failing to brush your teeth at night isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It may significantly increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. When you skip brushing, harmful bacteria are left to multiply overnight. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums, triggering systemic inflammation, which is a major contributor to heart disease, high blood pressure, and clogged arteries.
Researchers found that individuals who consistently neglect nighttime brushing are more likely to develop:
Atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Increased inflammation
Greater risk of stroke and heart attack
But the story doesn’t end there.
Oral Health and Brain Health
Newer studies are uncovering a worrying connection between oral hygiene and brain health, especially in older adults. Chronic gum disease and poor oral hygiene have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and even Alzheimer’s disease.
The same harmful bacteria that cause gum disease can travel to the brain, potentially triggering an immune response and contributing to neuroinflammation. One bacterium in particular, Porphyromonas gingivalis, commonly found in advanced gum disease, has been detected in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, especially at night when bacteria can grow unchecked, may be a crucial line of defense against long-term neurological decline.
Why Flossing Is Non-Negotiable
While brushing is essential, flossing is the often-neglected hero of oral health. Brushing alone can't reach the tight spaces between your teeth where plaque and bacteria hide. If left alone, these areas can become breeding grounds for gum disease, which, as mentioned, has implications far beyond just your mouth.
Regular flossing:
Reduces the risk of gum inflammation and bleeding
Helps prevent gum disease and tooth loss
Lowers the chances of harmful bacteria entering the bloodstream
May help reduce your risk of heart and brain disease
Think of flossing as the critical step that ensures you’re not just brushing for appearance but truly cleaning for health.
A Small Habit with Big Benefits
The bottom line? Your nightly oral hygiene routine is a lot more powerful than you might think.
By brushing and flossing before bed, you're doing more than keeping your teeth clean. You're helping to:
Protect your heart
Defend your brain
Reduce systemic inflammation
Lower the risk of serious health conditions
It’s a reminder that the small, consistent habits we practice every day—or every night—can have profound effects on our long-term wellbeing.
So tonight, when you're tempted to skip your toothbrush and head straight to bed, remember: two minutes of brushing and a quick floss might be one of the most important investments you make in your whole-body health.
Tracy Farrell is an expert in gut health, thyroid, and endocrine issues. She has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare starting on the administrative side and then as a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and Integrative Health Coach for the last five years at Natural Endocrine Solutions. She has certifications in Small Intestine Bacterial and Fungal Overgrowth (SIBO & SIFO) and has coordinated wellness programs for clients with autoimmune disorders and thyroid issues such as Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease. Most recently she received a Bone Density Certification from Functional Diagnostic Nutrition.
