Dental Deep Cleanings May Reduce Heart Disease Risk, Groundbreaking Study Finds

A deep clean at the dentist may benefit more than just your oral health, according to a groundbreaking new study that establishes a clear link between gum treatment and cardiovascular health.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) conducted a two-year randomized controlled trial tracking 135 adults with periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease. The study found that participants who received intensive dental treatment—involving full-mouth deep cleaning with regular follow-ups—showed measurably healthier arteries than those who only received routine cleanings.

“This is among the most robust evidence to date that oral and cardiovascular health are interconnected,” said Professor John Deanfield, lead author of the study and director of cardiovascular prevention at UCL. “Addressing periodontitis could become a powerful tool in preventing serious heart and brain events such as heart attacks and strokes.”

The results, published this month in the European Heart Journal, revealed that participants receiving intensive treatment showed a 0.02 millimeter reduction in the thickening of their carotid arteries after two years. Dr. Marco Orlandi, co-author of the trial, emphasized the significance of this finding.

“Even a 0.01 millimeter reduction corresponds to a 10% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk—suggesting participants reduced their risk by around 10% each year,” Orlandi explained.

Doctors routinely track the thickness of carotid artery walls as an early warning sign for atherosclerosis—the clogging of arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. While this study didn’t measure actual cardiac events, the improvements in artery measurements, coupled with reduced gum inflammation, suggest a promising connection between improved oral health and reduced cardiovascular risk.

All participants in the study were otherwise healthy and not taking regular medication, helping researchers isolate the specific effects of gum disease treatment. Those who received intensive care showed less gum inflammation and fewer bacteria entering their bloodstream, with healthier arteries than those who only got standard “scale-and-polish” care.

Periodontitis affects approximately 40% of adults worldwide and can cause bleeding, swelling, and tenderness of the gums. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. The condition can develop from poor oral hygiene, genetics, smoking, or uncontrolled diabetes.

Dr. Catrise Austin, a New York City cosmetic dentist and host of the “Let’s Talk Smiles” podcast, who was not involved in the study, explained the connection: “Your gums are part of your vascular system. If they’re inflamed and bleeding, your arteries feel it.”

Austin believes the findings demonstrate that healthcare professionals, particularly cardiologists, should pay closer attention to patients’ gum health. “Asking a simple question like, ‘Do your gums bleed when you brush?’ could help identify early signs of systemic inflammation long before more serious health issues arise,” she said.

For patients concerned about both their oral and cardiovascular health, Austin recommends a comprehensive approach: brushing twice daily, daily flossing, regular professional cleanings, quitting smoking, and managing conditions like diabetes. “These steps not only protect your smile, they also lower inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular disease,” she added.

The UCL study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and conducted in collaboration with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, builds on a growing body of evidence linking oral health to overall wellbeing.

Earlier this year, a large-scale analysis of more than 500,000 people in the UK Biobank found that individuals with signs of gum disease were more likely to have multiple chronic conditions, from diabetes to heart disease to depression.

Professor Francesco D’Aiuto, another co-author of the study, emphasized the need for greater integration between dental and medical care, stating that professionals from both fields should work more closely in recognizing and addressing the cardiovascular implications of gum disease.

While previous research had established correlation between gum disease and higher cardiovascular risk, this new study provides stronger evidence of causation by demonstrating that treating gum disease leads to measurable improvements in arterial health—potentially offering a new approach to reducing heart disease risk through improved dental care.