Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adults in the United States, particularly during midlife and older adulthood. Periodontal inflammation and poor oral hygiene behaviors have been linked to increased cardiovascular risk through systemic inflammatory pathways. This exploratory cross-sectional study described patterns of self reported gum bleeding, oral hygiene behaviors, and cardiovascular risk factors among 29 adults aged 45 to 70 at a community dental clinic using the researcher-developed Oral and Heart Health Study Questionnaire. Fourteen participants reported both gum bleeding and at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Participants who reported inconsistent flossing and infrequent professional dental cleanings were more likely to experience gum bleeding. These descriptive findings suggest that self-reported periodontal symptoms frequently co-occur with cardiovascular risk factors in this sample, highlighting the potential role of dental settings in cardiovascular health education. Future research should incorporate clinical assessments and longitudinal designs to better clarify these relationships.

Date of publication

Summer 5-30-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Language

english

Persistent identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10950/5074

Committee members

Arturo A. Arce-Esquivel, M.D., Ph.D., Kimberly Elliott, PhD, Theresa Byrd, DrPH

Degree

Masters of Science in Health Sciences

Additional Files
Thesis Final Approval Form Edwards.pdf (246 kB)
Approval Form
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