Poor dental health, such as bad teeth and bleeding gums, can be far more costly to your overall health than realized in years past. February is American Hearth Month, we want to ensure you know just how important your oral health is and that your heart health is at stake.
Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, at a minimum, is a routine that will ensure bacteria is properly removed from your teeth and gums. If plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, it will lead to the gum tissue being inflamed (gingivitis), and if that is left untreated, it will lead to gum disease (periodontal disease).
Gum disease is detrimental because as the gums pull away from teeth, the harmful bacteria that forms below the gum line has the ability to rapidly increase. As the bacteria proliferates, the bone that holds teeth in place is destroyed, which leads to tooth mobility and eventual loss, but that isn’t the only concern. Bleeding of the gums provide the bacteria an opportunity to enter the bloodstream where that bacteria can reach the heart’s arteries and can result in atherosclerosis (artery hardening), which is a condition that will lead to coronary heart disease (heart disease).
Dentists and scientists have made tremendous strides in understanding the oral-systemic (whole body) link. An article published in 2013 in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that conditions such as gum disease can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association in 2003 found that common mouth problems, such as missing teeth and cavities, are as effective as cholesterol levels in predicting heart disease.
Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be any longer. Ensuring you have a healthy mouth is a great way to keep your heart healthy.
Bela Family Dentistry is committed to continually exceeding your expectations through service and trust as we provide excellence in dentistry. Our philosophy is that dental treatment must be tailored to each individual patient. If you are concerned about how your oral health is impacting your heart, please contact our office to set-up a consultation.
