Whole Body Health

• Whole body health is an oral-systemic connection that refers to the relationship between oral inflammation, periodontal disease, and overall health. Research shows that untreated plaque accumulation and periodontitis are associated with conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications, and cognitive decline.

• However, there's a lack of awareness among patients when it comes to how oral health connects to the rest of the body. A national survey** of more than 2,000 Americans, conducted by Ipsos in partnership with P&G and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), found that nearly half of Americans (44%) have never heard of the connection between oral health and heart disease, with awareness dropping even further for other conditions including diabetes (55%), respiratory disease (68%), pregnancy complications (67%), and Alzheimer's Disease (77%).

**This P&G/Ipsos poll was conducted April 3 – April 14, 2026, by Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 2,052 adults, age 18 or older. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.21 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of adults. The study was conducted in English. The data for the total sample were weighted to adjust for gender by age, race/ethnicity, education, Census region, metropolitan status, and household income.

Dental professionals play an important role in helping patients understand that oral health is part of overall health. Consistent patient education can help reinforce the importance of prevention, plaque control, and routine care. We encourage dental professionals to have conversations about oral health impacting overall health with their patients during regular checkups, setting them up with the tools needed to take care of their health proactively.

A simple explanation is that the mouth is part of the body, and chronic oral inflammation may contribute to inflammation elsewhere in the body. Patients should understand that maintaining healthy gums is an important part of maintaining overall health.

Crest and Oral-B lead the way in innovation, technology and research to fight factors contributing to poor oral health, including plaque and gingivitis, while supporting overall health. Oral-B is the #1 toothbrush brand used and recommended by dentists worldwide, and Oral-B iO Series electric toothbrushes are clinically shown to remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes. Crest's Pro-Health stannous fluoride formulations are clinically proven to help protect against plaque, gingivitis, cavities, sensitivity and enamel erosion. Together, Crest and Oral-B products are designed to support whole-mouth health through effective plaque disruption and gingivitis prevention, foundational elements of whole-body health.

Evidence suggests that patients with advanced periodontal disease may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.

The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is bidirectional. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes are at greater risk for gingivitis and periodontal disease, and periodontal inflammation may complicate glycemic control.

Gingival inflammation is part of the body's immune response to plaque bacteria. Persistent inflammation may contribute to periodontal disease progression and has been associated with chronic inflammatory conditions.

Dental and medical professionals should encourage patients to maintain a consistent and simple routine, focused on brushing twice a day for two minutes with a stannous fluoride toothpaste that provides 24-hour antibacterial protection like Crest Pro-Health and using an electric toothbrush with a dentist-inspired round head like the Oral-B iO Series. Together, these products can help remove more plaque and improve gum health, supporting not just a healthier smile, but overall wellbeing. In fact, the Oral-B iO Series electric toothbrush with its oscillating-rotating brush head and Crest Pro-Health toothpaste together deliver 10x healthier gums*** than brushing with a regular toothpaste on a manual toothbrush.

*** J Dent Res Vol #105(Spec Iss A ):531

P&G has partnered with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) to address the disconnect between oral care and whole-body health by highlighting the power of a healthy mouth for better overall health outcomes.

Learn More