A doctor who graduated from Harvard University has gone viral after revealing how not brushing your teeth at night could be damaging your heart.
Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, regularly shares his experience and knowledge with his 497,000 followers on TikTok.
He recently issued a shocking warning for people who consume less than one teaspoon of salt per day – saying it's 'extremely harmful.'
Now, the 42-year-old has revealed the impact of not brushing your teeth before bed, not just in our mouths, but in our hearts, too.
And he says it could lead to life-threatening diseases.
In the recent clip, which has racked up 623,800 views and almost 9,000 likes, he explains that those who don't brush their teeth are putting themselves at a higher risk of cardiovascular issues.
'Research studies suggest that poor oral hygiene is linked to a higher risk of heart disease,' the doctor, from California, said.
He then lists three things to remember.
Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, revealed how not brushing your teeth at night could be damaging your heart
He explained that those who don't brush their teeth are putting themselves at a higher risk of cardiovascular issues (stock image)
'Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation that could affect the heart over time,' Dr. Sethi said.
'Gum disease, which he says is a direct result of poor oral hygiene, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.'
As a final point, he added: 'Studies show that people who brush their teeth regularly, along with getting dental cleanings, tend to have healthier hearts and a lower risk of health disease.'
Dr. Sethi urges people to keep up with their oral hygiene – especially before bed – as it's one of the most important ways to keep the heart healthy.
In another video, the gastroenterologist revealed what would happen if salt was removed from our diets for the same length of time.
He warned it could be 'extremely harmful.'
In the clip, which has racked up over 17,000 views and hundreds of likes, he explained that salt is a crucial electrolyte that helps our bodies retain water.
'Without it, you would likely experience severe dehydration [and] your blood volume will decrease significantly, leading to a drop in blood pressure,' the doctor shared.
Dr. Sethi urges people to keep up with their oral hygiene – especially before bed – as it's one of the most important ways to keep the heart healthy
Dr. Sethi further continued that the craving for salty foods will become 'very intense.'
He mentioned other dangers, saying: 'Your muscles will become very weak, you could also feel dizzy, lightheaded, and may even faint.
'On top of that, inadequate salt consumption can disrupt gut health by impairing digestion and weaken liver health by reducing essential nutrient absorption.'
Dr. Sethi ended the video with a final warning.
'While many people worry about consuming too much salt, not getting enough can be far more dangerous,' he said.
'For most people, it is important to consume about one teaspoon of sea salt each day.'
