Oral Health and Heart Disease

 

Oral Health and Heart Disease

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women. Dentists at Sterling Dental Clinic always emphasize on maintaining a good oral health and actively take initiative to spread awareness about oral health and to encourage everyone to make heart-friendly choices.

Oral health and heart disease are related. Preventing and treating dental conditions is vital not only for aesthetic and functional purposes, but it can also boost longevity. Maintaining optimal oral health is something all individuals can do to help reduce their risk of heart disease. While poor oral health does not directly cause or exacerbate heart-related illnesses, it can be an indicator of health and lifestyle factors that are connected to heart disease.

You might think the mouth and heart don’t have much in common. But increasing evidence suggests they may be closely linked. Researchers suspect that bacteria present in gum disease can travel throughout the body, triggering inflammation in the heart’s vessels and infection in heart valves.

Research points to a link between gum disease and inflammation that can precede heart attacks, strokes, and sudden vascular events. For the time being, the exact nature of the cause-and-effect relationship is unclear. 

“Inflammation can be linked to many different reasons and sources. That’s why it’s hard to definitively prove it’s just one thing. For people with heart disease of blood vessels, inflammation caused by gum disease can add to that process. 

How is Oral Health Linked to Heart Health?

Practicing poor oral hygiene and neglecting to manage serious oral conditions, such as gum disease and periodontal disease, leaves the mouth vulnerable to bacteria. The bacteria can migrate into the bloodstream via open sores inside the mouth and carry to the heart. The spread of oral bacteria throughout the vascular system can cause inflammation of blood vessels and increase the likelihood of experiencing a stroke or cardiac arrest.

What You Can Do to Improve Your Oral Health

·         Visit your dental practitioner at least twice a year (more frequent visits may be necessary for smokers, diabetics, and those with oral diseases)

·         Quit all tobacco use

·         Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush

Everybody’s oral condition is different, so please schedule your dental exam appointment with Sterling Dental Clinic and get the best dental treatment.