Not brushing before bed? Harvard doctor warns of 3 terrifying heart risks

Skipping your nighttime brushing routine might be doing more than just harming your teeth—it could be quietly endangering your heart. Many people tend to skip brushing their teeth before bed, often due to exhaustion, laziness, or simply falling into a bad habit. After a long day, it’s tempting to crash into bed without thinking twice about oral hygiene. But now, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard and Stanford-trained doctor, has issued a chilling warning: this small but frequent neglect may significantly raise your risk of heart disease.

Dr. Sethi points to compelling research linking poor oral hygiene to cardiovascular problems. According to him, skipping nighttime brushing can allow harmful bacteria to thrive in the mouth, eventually entering the bloodstream and triggering chronic inflammation—one of the known contributors to heart disease.

Here are three crucial things to know:
1. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation that damages the heart over time.
2. Gum disease, often the result of poor dental care, has been strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues.
3. People who consistently brush their teeth and maintain regular dental cleanings tend to have healthier hearts and a lower risk of heart-related conditions.


Dr. Sethi emphasizes that brushing your teeth at night is one of the easiest lifestyle habits you can adopt to protect your heart. Incorporating this into your daily routine not only preserves oral health but also guards against potentially fatal heart problems like heart failure.


Internet reacts
Several users expressed their appreciation for Dr. Saurabh Sethi’s insights, noting how refreshing it is to see physicians address the connection between oral hygiene and heart health, a topic often emphasized only by dental surgeons. One dentist in the comments supported Dr. Sethi’s warning, stating that his message was completely accurate and backed by numerous studies. They pointed out that maintaining oral hygiene through brushing and regular cleanings does much more than just protect your teeth—it also helps safeguard your heart. Another user shared their surprise, admitting they hadn’t realized the link between poor oral care and heart disease, calling it a timely reminder to stay consistent with brushing and flossing.