Americans have long been grappling with an epidemic of cardiovascular disease. To this day, heart disease is still the number one cause of death among adults in the U.S. Many of the most common risk factors for heart disease are fairly well understood by most people; poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, etc.
What many people aren’t aware of, however, is that recent science suggests that your oral health and your cardiovascular health are connected. If you want to know more about how poor oral health can increase your chances of heart disease, here’s a guide that can tell you what you want to know.
Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Issues
Gum disease is one of the most common oral health conditions that there is, and in most cases, it’s mild enough that people aren’t even aware that they have it. However, it turns out there are risks to gum disease that go beyond heart health. Recent studies have found that there’s a significant correlation between gum disease and heart disease; patients who have the latter disproportionately also have the former.
The theory is that many of the bacteria in the gums can seep into the bloodstream. In that way, they can infiltrate other parts of the body—like the heart—and cause inflammation there as well. The theory goes that irritation can potentially work with other risk factors to increase the chance of contracting heart disease.
How Do I Prevent Gum Disease?
Now that you know the risks that gum disease entails, you probably want to avoid it as much as possible. Here are a few things that you can try to reduce your chances of getting gum disease:
- Brush and floss daily; daily dental hygiene breaks up plaque deposits that are largely responsible for gum disease
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash to kill disease-causing bacteria
- Stay hydrated; this will facilitate saliva production, which can naturally cleanse the mouth
- See your dentist bi-annually for checkups and cleanings
Gum disease is fairly common, and having it doesn’t mean for sure that you’ll contract heart disease. But if you take measures to prevent it, the worst thing that can happen is that you make your smile better than it was before. With that in mind, why not take your oral health more seriously?
About Our Practice
At Epic Family Dentistry of Carrollton, we work hard every day to offer our patients the best care that dentistry has to offer. We’re a family-owned practice, so our patients can enjoy the highest level of dental care in an environment that almost feels like home. We can also guarantee that you’ll get a square deal from us; we’ll only recommend the treatment you need.
If you have any questions about how your oral health relates to your heart health, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (972) 820-7294.