The American Heart Association and Delta Dental of California have launched a joint initiative urging dental teams to adopt a total-body perspective when treating patients, spotlighting the frequently overlooked connection between oral health and cardiovascular health.

Announced on September 21, 2026, the Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative aims to integrate blood pressure screenings into routine dental checkups and educate patients on how gum disease can contribute to heart disease and stroke. The collaboration pairs a nonprofit dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke with a dental benefits provider, extending cardiovascular screening into routine dental care.

According to the American Heart Association, research indicates 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 more than 40% of adults aged 30 and older are affected by periodontal disease. With each condition touching such a large share of the population, the partners view the dental chair as a practical, recurring point of contact for flagging cardiovascular risk early.

Daniel Croley, D.M.D., chief dental officer at Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, described the mouth 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.”

Under the program, dental teams are encouraged to perform simple blood pressure screenings during routine checkups, where the readings can provide a more complete picture of a patient’s overall health. A dental team member using a blood pressure cuff at an appointment signals a proactive approach to total-body health, the association said. Because high blood pressure often develops without noticeable symptoms, a reading taken at the dentist’s office can surface a risk a patient did not know about.

Four Tips for Protecting Teeth, Gums, and Heart

Experts from the American Heart Association offered four recommendations for people seeking to protect their teeth, gums, and heart at the same time:

1. Maintain a consistent brushing and flossing schedule. Brush at least twice daily and floss once a day to disrupt plaque-forming bacteria. Use fluoride toothpaste and a gentle technique to avoid enamel wear and gum recession.
2. Eat a healthy diet and limit sugar. 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 carbohydrates.
3. Avoid smoking and all tobacco products. This includes 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.
4. Communicate with your healthcare team. Discuss blood pressure with your and oral health with your doctor, share your medical history, and ask for personalized recommendations.

Additional information about improving oral and cardiovascular health is available at Heart.org/OralHealth. The initiative was also featured on NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.