A doctor has warned of the importance of brushing your teeth before bed, no matter how tired you are. Speaking on TikTok, Dr Neena Chandrasekaran, a specialist in pulmonary and critical care medicine, warned that skipping this habit can increase your risk of stroke and puts you at risk of hypertension (high blood pressure).

Posting under the username @neenziemd , she shared that these are "things they don't tell you" about dental health. She explains: "Research now shows that if you don’t brush your teeth before sleep, you’re at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease."

"This is because at night, saliva reproduction slows down. This makes it less able to wash away the bacteria in our mouth, on our tongues and then this causes a buildup of bacteria, a buildup of plaque on the teeth and gums."

Because of this, you are at a higher risk of gum disease and cavities. The doctor further explains that bacteria on our teeth and gums "are very easy to move to our arteries and bloodstream." This can lead to bacteria in our vessels and arteries, contributing to atherosclerosis, infections, toxins, and inflammation.

These factors can increase the risk of strokes and high blood pressure, emphasizing that "it's all connected." Concluding her message, she stresses that while brushing twice a day is widely recommended, many people don’t realize just how crucial it is for overall health.

What is atherosclerosis?

According to the NHS, atherosclerosis occurs when arteries become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through them. This increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as noted by the pulmonary doctor.

What are the symptoms of atherosclerosis?

You may not have any symptoms of atherosclerosis, but symptoms can include:

• chest pain
• pain in your arms and legs, especially when exercising
• feeling short of breath
• feeling tired all the time
• feeling weak
• feeling confused

Call 111 if:

• you have chest pain that comes and goes
• you feel short of breath
• you have pain in your arms and legs when walking or exercising

What causes atherosclerosis?

Things that increase your chances of getting atherosclerosis include: