Oral hygiene may seem like a small daily habit, but skipping it can have consequences beyond cavities. Content creator Dr.

Kunal Sood, an anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine physician, recently shared on Instagram that not brushing teeth before bed can have a serious impact on heart health. Responding to a content creator’s claim that “If you don’t brush your teeth before sleeping, you have a higher risk of heart disease,” Dr. Sood agreed, saying that oral hygiene is essential and has protective benefits for heart health.

“If you skip brushing your teeth at night, you’re doing more than just risking cavities,” he warns. Citing a 2023 study, he highlighted the importance of brushing at the right time, saying that poor oral hygiene is linked to a higher risk of heart disease and heart failure.