Key Takeaways

• NewsHealth NewsAre artery plaque and tooth plaque the same?
• Cardiologist and dentist explain the linkAre artery plaque and tooth plaque the same?
• It doesn’t."People often get confused because the term "plaque" has now two different definitions.

Key Development 1

NewsHealth NewsAre artery plaque and tooth plaque the same?

Cardiologist and dentist explain the linkAre artery plaque and tooth plaque the same?

It doesn’t."People often get confused because the term "plaque" has now two different definitions.

Practicing good dental hygiene helps reduce the inflammatory load on your body, which ultimately benefits both your teeth and your heart," says Dr Nishant.

Key Development 2

Same body.

Binay Kumar Pandey, Director & HOD- Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital Faridabad.How are the plaques connected?"While dental plaque and arterial plaque look different in terms of material make-up, they are both related through inflammation.

Nishant Tyagi, Director & Head of Department – Dental (Prosthodontics & Oral), Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali Dr.

Nishant Tyagi, Director & Head of Department – Dental (Prosthodontics & Oral), Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali told TOI Health.

Key Development 3

It’s all connected, just not in the simple “this turns into that” way people sometimes imagine.Different plaques.

Instead of sitting on a surface, it forms within the artery wall.

And it all adds up.Medical experts consulted This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by: Dr.

This is referred to as atherosclerosis, which narrows the arteries and decreases blood flow to the heart, brain, and other important body parts," explains Dr.

Key Development 4

"Both of these are linked because of bacteria and inflammation.

Chronic gum disease can cause ongoing inflammation throughout the entire body, and bacteria from the mouth can enter into the bloodstream through broken or bleeding gums.

Part of the confusion comes from the name, but part of it comes from the mouth–heart connection you’ve probably heard about.

If tooth plaque is not cleansed, it can harden into tartar, which leads to gum disease.

Key Development 5

That doesn’t mean tooth plaque crawls from your mouth into your arteries.

If you have severe gum disease, then those bacteria are getting into your blood stream and can cause chronic inflammation damage to your blood vessels, leading to the formation of arterial plaque.

On the other hand, artery plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other waste products that accumulate within the walls of arteries.

On the other hand, arterial plaque consists of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and inflammatory cells that create build-up in your arteries over a period of years and make you more likely to have a heart attack or stroke," Dr.

Key Development 6

Tooth plaque is a sticky substance that consists mostly of bacteria, which develops when food particles (especially sugars and starches) come into contact with the bacteria in your mouth.

"Although tooth plaque and artery plaque are two different substances, they both have a direct effect on your health.

But they’re both signs of how your body handles inflammation, bacteria, and repair over time.So brushing and flossing aren’t just about a nice smile.

And eating well and moving your body aren’t just about your heart.

Key Development 7

Cardiologist and dentist explain the linkMaitree Baral / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jan 21, 2026, 21:10 ISTCommentsShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLarge Same word, different mess, different threatsThe word plaque is doing a lot of work on social media, and that’s what makes it confusing.Tooth plaque is basically a sticky film that you can feel with your tongue when you wake up.

This bacteria can help to create unstable plaques in your arteries, increasing the chance of heart attack or stroke.

In dental terms, plaque refers to a thin layer of bacteria that builds up on the teeth when food mixes with saliva.

Dentists and cardiologists have noticed for years that people with bad gum disease tend to have more heart disease.

Key Development 8

If it sits there too long, it hardens into tartar and irritates your gums.

Artery plaque won’t rot your teeth.

Artery plaque builds up inside blood vessels and is made mostly of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and inflammatory junk your body didn’t clean up well.

If left alone, this layer is expected to harden into tartar and can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath.

Key Development 9

Dr Binay highlights the bacterial connection between them.

Over time, that wall gets thicker and stiffer, and blood has now less room to move through.

Binay Kumar Pandey, Director & HOD- Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital FaridabadInputs were used to explain the link between tooth plaque and artery plaque.

Maintaining proper oral health is expected to therefore help protect you from developing a heart condition," he shared.The takeawayTooth plaque won’t clog your arteries directly.

Key Development 10

It’s made of bacteria, food bits, and spit, all clinging to your teeth like wet dust.

The doctors have cleared the confusion around the plaques.About the AuthorMaitree BaralMaitree Baral is a health journalist on a mission: making medical science digestible and healthcare approachable.

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