The Mouth-Heart Connection
August 24, 2025
What You Need to Know About Apical Periodontitis and Cardiovascular Disease
Can a dental infection influence your heart health? According to a new umbrella review published in the Journal of Dentistry, the answer might be yes. The study, led by Talekar et al. (2025), dives into the possible link between apical periodontitis (AP)—a common dental infection—and cardiovascular diseases, the world’s leading cause of death.
By synthesizing data from 10 systematic reviews, this umbrella review represents one of the most comprehensive looks at how these two seemingly unrelated health issues might be connected.
Here are the top five takeaways you need to know:
Here are the top five takeaways you need to know:
1. Gum Disease May Significantly Increase Cardiovascular Risk
The study found that individuals with apical periodontitis are at a 32% higher relative risk and 83% higher odds of developing cardiovascular diseases. This includes coronary artery disease, stroke, and other major vascular conditions. While this doesn’t prove causation, it strongly suggests AP is more than just a local dental problem—it could be a systemic red flag.2. Inflammation Is the Common Thread
The biological plausibility of this link centers around chronic inflammation. AP leads to a persistent inflammatory response, which can spill over into the bloodstream. This low-grade, systemic inflammation may accelerate atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries—a key driver of cardiovascular disease.3. Evidence Is Consistent, but Not Without Limitations
The umbrella review highlights high heterogeneity among studies. This means differences in study design, population size, and diagnostic methods make it hard to establish a clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship. Still, the consistency gives the association credibility.
4. Current Clinical Guidelines Don’t Yet Reflect This Risk
Despite the growing evidence, most cardiovascular risk assessments don’t account for oral health status—particularly gum disease. Incorporating dental screening into cardiovascular disease management, especially for patients with unexplained or resistant cardiovascular symptoms.
5. More High-Quality Research Is Needed
The study calls for large, prospective cohort studies with standardized AP definitions and better confounder control. This will help clarify the “dose-response” relationship—i.e., does the severity or duration of gum disease matter? And can effective root canal treatments reduce cardiovascular disease risk?
Final Thoughts: The Tooth-Heart Connection Deserves More Attention
This umbrella review reinforces an important but often overlooked concept: your mouth is not separate from the rest of your body. Apical periodontitis, while common and often symptomless, might be a silent contributor to cardiovascular disease—the world’s leading killer.
Oral health assessments should be part of a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation. And for the rest of us, it’s another reason not to skip those dental checkups. After all, taking care of your teeth might just help protect your heart.
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