You probably know already that taking care of your heart means cutting down on salt, eating healthily and exercising regularly but did you know that brushing and flossing your teeth could save you from a heart attack?

Experts have found that those with the worst blockages in their arteries had the most severe gum disease and there is now growing evidence of a connection between poor dental health, gum disease and heart disease.

It is not clear how gum disease may trigger heart problems, although it is thought that bacteria released from the infected gums are the key. The bacteria enter the bloodstream where they may activate the immune system, making artery walls inflamed and narrow, or attach directly to fatty deposits already present in the arteries and this causes further narrowing.

More research needs to be done but the very fact that a link is suspected should encourage us all to take better care of our teeth. So first of all buy a good quality toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles. Electric toothbrushes are fine too. Then it’s time to do the following:

• Make sure you brush for at least two minutes, twice a day after breakfast and before bed. Anything less than that and you’re looking for trouble.
• Brush each and every tooth. Use a gentle, circular motion and massage the gum as you go. Brush the tops of your teeth and don’t forget to do both the outside (near your cheek) and the inside (by the tongue). Don’t overdo it. Your aim is not to polish the teeth but to remove bacteria, so scrubbing hard isn’t necessary and can thin the enamel on teeth and, over time, cause your gums to recede.
• You should also remember to floss at least once a day. It’s not fun, but unfortunately it’s necessary if you want to clean those hard-to-reach spaces between your teeth.
• Don’t forget to book in to see your hygienist every six to 12 months for a thorough clean.
• And finally, it goes without saying that you should steer clear of sugary, sticky foods and eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, oily fish and vitamin C rich fruit and vegetables.

Research indicates that vitamin C may help decrease your chances of developing gingivitis, inflammation in the gums, which can cause dental disease. It is also known that Co-enzyme Q10 can help with bleeding gums.

Diesel fumes clog up the arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes warn researchers. Scientists have found that pollution from cars, lorries, vans and buses triggers a chain reaction in the blood that leads to potentially deadening hardening of the arteries.

The researchers say the findings reinforce earlier advice that people with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid staying outside for long periods when pollution levels are high. The link between pollution and heart disease and stroke has long been known but this new research is the first to explain how the fine diesel particles ‘conspire’ with artery clogging cholesterol to switch on the genes that cause blood vessel inflammation.

Dr Andrew Nel, who led the study at the University of California said, ‘When you add one plus one it normally totals two. But we found that adding diesel particles to cholesterol fat equals three. Their combination creates a dangerous synergy that wreaks cardiovascular havoc far beyond what’s caused by the diesel of cholesterol alone.’

The findings just published in the journal Genome Biology are based on lab studies of human tissues. The scientists compared diesel particles and the bad form of cholesterol in a test tube and added them with cells taken from the inner lining of human blood vessels. A few hours later, DNA tests of the human cells showed that the diesel particles were working in tandem with cholesterol to encourage inflammation of the blood vessels.

A recent study in Diabetes Care shows that stress changes the body in a way that causes weight gain. Researchers followed 432 women for 15 years. Those who frequently felt angry, depressed or stressed were nearly twice as likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome, a condition in which the body stores fat around the waist increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Experts say that negative emotions can trigger an elevated heart rate and higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to overeating and a slower metabolism. If you would like to read more on this see my book ‘Fat around the Middle’.