One of your heart’s most hidden enemies may be the worn-out toothbrush in your bathroom. It seems harmless, but experts say it’s an accomplice in the development of atherosclerosis.
The connection is inflammation. When a toothbrush is old, its bristles are frayed and ineffective. They fail to remove plaque, the bacterial film that causes chronic gum inflammation.
This inflammation is the real danger. It acts as a gateway, allowing the hundreds of bacterial species in your mouth to enter your bloodstream.
Once circulating, these bacteria and the inflammatory molecules they release can travel to your arteries. There, they can contribute to the plaque buildup and stiffening that defines heart disease.
This is not a minor risk. People with severe gum disease are constantly fighting this internal inflammation, which nearly doubles their risk of cardiovascular illness. Protect your heart by starting with a new toothbrush every three months.