The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative, in collaboration with Delta Dental of California, is urging dental teams to adopt a total-body perspective when treating patients, highlighting the often-overlooked link between oral health and cardiovascular health. The initiative, announced on September 21, 2026, aims to integrate blood pressure screenings into routine dental checkups and educate patients on how gum disease can contribute to heart disease and stroke.
Research shows that inflammation from gum disease can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, potentially causing blood vessels to constrict or become blocked. This can force the heart to work harder and raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. More than 46% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, and over 40% of adults aged 30 and older are affected by periodontal disease, according to the American Heart Association.
Daniel Croley, D.M.D., chief dental officer at Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, emphasized the mouth’s role as a gateway to overall health. “Oral health professionals have a powerful opportunity to integrate more into their patients’ collective health care team beyond protecting their patients’ teeth,” Croley said. “By connecting oral health and heart health, this initiative helps dentists identify risks early and guide patients toward care that can improve and even save lives.”
The initiative encourages dental teams to perform simple blood pressure screenings during checkups, which can provide a more complete picture of a person’s overall health. If a dental care team member uses a blood pressure cuff at an appointment, it signals a proactive approach to total-body health.
To help people protect their teeth, gums, and heart simultaneously, experts from the American Heart Association offer four tips. First, follow a consistent brushing and flossing schedule: brush at least twice daily and floss once a day to disrupt plaque-forming bacteria, using fluoride toothpaste and gentle technique to avoid enamel wear and gum recession. Second, eat a healthy diet and limit sugar, as sugar feeds harmful bacteria that produce acid causing cavities and gum disease; prioritize vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats while limiting added sugars and refined carbs. Third, avoid smoking and tobacco products, including vaping, dipping, and chewing tobacco, which harm dental health by drying the mouth and restricting blood flow to the gums, and also damage heart health. Fourth, communicate with your healthcare team: discuss blood pressure with your dentist and oral health with your doctor, share your medical history, and ask for personalized recommendations.
For more information on improving oral and cardiovascular health, visit Heart.org/OralHealth. The initiative was featured on NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
