Mouth!
Our mouths are connected to our hearts? Yup!
A growing body of research reveals a significant link between poor dental hygiene and cardiovascular disease. Gum disease and oral infections can trigger inflammation, allow harmful bacteria into the bloodstream, and, in severe cases, even lead to direct infection of heart tissue. Together, these effects can contribute to serious, sometimes life-threatening, cardiovascular conditions.
Said BioMed Central: Oral Health in “Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease: Umbrella Review” published late last year:
Periodontal disease is an infectious and inflammatory condition that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It has been suggested that it may be associated with cardiovascular disease. Various electronic databases were studied: Systematic reviews with high overall confidence support the association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases.”
Apparently this severe form of gum disease caused by long-term plaque buildup and inadequate oral hygiene ends up causing gums to recede and deteriorate. Which in turn allows oral bacteria easier access to the bloodstream. Everyday actions like brushing, flossing, or chewing—and especially dental procedures—permit these bugs to enter into the bloodstream and travel through the body.
In the bloodstream, some of the critters can attach to the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, disrupting the vascular barrier, making it easier for infection to spread to vital organs. And the heart is one of those. Besides, just the damage to blood vessel linings can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis—a condition that dramatically increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Further affecting the cardiovascular system.
See what a bad mouth can do to you?
Support for this oral-cardiac link is strong. People with gum disease are significantly more likely to suffer from heart disease, and the correlation between the two is strong. One study found that people with periodontitis were up to twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease compared to those with healthy gums. Other studies point to a “dose-response” effect: the more severe the gum disease, the greater the cardiovascular risk.
(Of course, there are other risk factors: smoking, unhealthy diets, excessive alcohol consumption and diabetes all contribute to both poor oral health and heart disease.)
All that to say: The mouth is far more than just the beginning of the digestive system—it plays a vital role in overall well-being. Said one correspondent in response:
By brushing up on good habits, individuals can protect not only their smile—but their heart, too.”
Cleverly put!
But it goes deeper than that, says the Bible. In fact the Psalms are full of those mouthy ones who are in for trouble. Here are a few of those nefarious characters (and their requested fates).
You destroy those who speak falsehood;
the person of bloodshed and deceit Yahweh abhors.
For there is no truthfulness in his mouth;
their inward part [is] destruction.
Psalm 5:6, 9
The wicked, haughty in his countenance,
does not seek [Him] ….
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;
under his tongue is trouble and harm;
and the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones.
Arise, Yahweh; God, lift up Your hand;
do not forget the afflicted.
Psalm 10:4, 7, 12
They have opened their mouth at me,
[like] a lion, tearing and roaring.
But You, Yahweh, be not far;
my strength, hasten to my help.
Deliver me from the mouth of the lion,
[and] from the horns of the wild oxen.
Psalm 22:13, 19, 21
Yes, the mouth can get one in trouble! Bad trouble. Keep that mouth clean, y’all!
SOURCE: BioMed Central: Oral Health; Study Finds
Abe Kuruvilla is the Carl E. Bates Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), and a dermatologist in private practice. His passion is to explore, explain, and exemplify preaching.