Is heart disease caused by a tooth infection?
On One Hand: Heart RiskAccording to periodontist Dr. Joseph Nemeth, tooth infections can cause heart disease as well as other serious conditions like stroke and diabetes. Tooth infections, also known as tooth abscesses, eventually form a pocket of bacteria-filled pus in the gum. This infection can then spread into the bloodstream and even to the heart.On the Other: Other CausesTooth infections are only one of the many causes of heart disease, which can also be brought on by diet, stress, smoking, inactivity, congenital defects, viruses and other infections. Your background also influences how serious a tooth infection is to your health. Smokers, people with autoimmune diseases or diabetes, and those with a family history of tooth loss are more at risk from tooth infections.Bottom LineA tooth infection is a serious problem that can pose a significant threat to your health if untreated, including a risk of heart disease. If you have a persistent toothache or other symptoms of a tooth inf
