Is Your Old Toothbrush “Stiffening” Your Arteries?

It’s a shocking question, but dental experts say it’s a real risk. An old, ineffective toothbrush can lead to chronic gum inflammation, which in turn “can cause arteries to stiffen and narrow”—a condition called atherosclerosis.
A dental professional explains that this condition is a primary driver of heart disease. The inflammation that starts in your gums does not stay there. It “puts a strain on your heart.”
The problem begins with bacteria. Your mouth has 700 types. When your toothbrush gets old, its bristles fray. It can’t clean away the plaque these bacteria form. This plaque inflames the gums, allowing bacteria to “enter the bloodstream.”
This constant battle against an oral infection “wears down the heart’s defenses.” This is why gum disease is linked to a nearly doubled risk of cardiovascular disease.
You can reduce this risk. The expert recommendation is to replace your toothbrush every three months. This simple habit ensures you are effectively removing the plaque that causes the inflammation that damages your arteries.