--- title: How Heart Health and Oral Health Are Connected description: When it comes to keeping your heart healthy, the first things that come to mind may be eating a balanced diet and exercising. Those are certainly two impor image: https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adobestock_303308601-1.jpeg --- Already have an Account? LOGIN X ### Select Line of Coverage: Vision Dental ### Select One: Member Administrator Provider Lab SIGN IN ![](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adobestock_303308601-1.jpeg) When it comes to keeping your heart healthy, the first things that come to mind may be eating a balanced diet and exercising. Those are certainly two important factors in maintaining heart health, but did you know that oral health is connected to heart health? Most people know that skipping the dentist can put them at risk for cavities or gum disease, but poor oral health can impact your heart health, as well. [Research shows](http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475?pg=2) that endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart) typically occurs when bacteria from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spreads through the blood stream and attaches to damaged areas in the heart. In addition, studies suggest that clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause. Don’t let poor oral health start to affect other parts of your body. In addition to having regular exams with your dentist, don’t forget to maintain proper dental hygiene at home. This means: - Brushing twice a day - Flossing once a day - Rinsing with mouth wash at least once a day ![TruAssure](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png)VBA dental plans are administered and underwritten by TruAssure and are offered in association with the DenteMax Plus dental network arrangement, which includes participating dentists from the United Concordia, DenteMax and Connection dental networks in all states but North Carolina, where the DenteMax Plus network arrangement includes DenteMax and Connection dental networks. ## Related Articles [![](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adobestock_144846953-1.jpeg) ](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/diabetes-and-oral-health) [Oral Conditions](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/oral-conditions) [Hygiene and Health](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/hygiene-and-health) [Dental](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/dental) ### [Diabetes and Oral Health](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/diabetes-and-oral-health) Throughout November, we have shared information on how diabetes can affect your overall health. Although oral health may not come to mind when considering effects of... [Emily Shrader](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/author/emily-shrader) [Read More](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/diabetes-and-oral-health) [![](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/vba-676394644-vision-698x360-1.jpg) ](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/how-smoking-affects-oral-and-vision-health) [Oral Conditions](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/oral-conditions) [Hygiene and Health](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/hygiene-and-health) [Vision](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/vision) [Lifestyle](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/lifestyle) [Health and Wellness](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/health-and-wellness) [Dental](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/dental) ### [How Smoking Affects Oral and Vision Health](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/how-smoking-affects-oral-and-vision-health) It’s no secret that smoking can cause a number of major health concerns, but did you know the significant threat it poses to your oral and vision health? **Oral Health** ... [Jennifer Stech](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/author/jennifer-stech) [Read More](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/how-smoking-affects-oral-and-vision-health) #### Stay in Touch Sign up to receive the latest news and information from VBA. ![VBA Plans of America logo](https://www.vbaplans.com/assets/images/VBA-Logo.png) Vision Benefits of America 400 Lydia Street, Suite 300 Carnegie, PA 15106 [1-800-432-4966](tel:8004324966) ##### [VISION](https://www.vbaplans.com/vision) ##### [DENTAL](https://www.vbaplans.com/dental) ##### [COMPANY](https://www.vbaplans.com/about-us) ##### FOLLOW © 2021 VBA ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Matthew Cuomo", "url" : "https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/author/matthew-cuomo" }, "dateModified" : "2023-12-08T18:29:48.337Z", "datePublished" : "2018-02-28T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "How Heart Health and Oral Health Are Connected", "image" : [ "https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adobestock_303308601-1.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/how-heart-health-and-oral-health-are-connected", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/VBA_RGB-1.png" }, "name" : "Vision Benefits of America" } } ```