Is There a Link Between Heart Disease and My Dental Health?
Posted on 4/1/2024 by Weo Admin
If you are currently fighting gum disease - and many adults are - you may not be aware that taking care of your gums means you are taking better care of your heart as well. There are definite links between heart disease and gum disease. Here are some tips to take care of your gums and lower your heart disease risk.
Healthy Gums Are Vital
People with gum disease fight an infection along their gumline caused by bacteria - some of the same bacteria that cause tooth decay. If you have a mild form of gum disease, you can heal the infection by regularly visiting our dentist and brushing and flossing.
However, if you have a moderate or severe form of the disease, your infection cannot be cured. Spaces will form along your gumline between your gums and your teeth, and they will get larger over time. If you get good dental care for your gum disease, you can keep it in remission.
The Connection Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease
Several research studies indicate the connection between heart disease and gum health. For example, scientists found one of the bacteria that cause gum disease in blood clots located in the blood vessels around the heart. Blood clots cause both heart attacks and strokes. Other researchers have discovered that when the mouth becomes irritated and inflamed due to gum disease, it can lead to body inflammation, increasing your risk of dementia and other diseases.
People who lose teeth due to gum disease are also at greater risk of heart disease. This is especially true for the risk levels for coronary artery disease. The coronary artery is one of the largest blood vessels in the body, so the healthier your arteries are, the healthier your heart may be.
What Should I Do?
If you have gum disease, you may want to increase your visits to our dentist to have your gums cleaned. Many people with gum disease have their gums deep cleaned every three or four months rather than every six months. Do you need an appointment to see the dentist? Give us a call today.
Summit Dental Group, 9121 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 ^ 260-297-7081 ^ summitdentalgrp.com ^ 12/4/2024 ^ Page Keywords: dentist Fort Wayne IN ^
If you are currently fighting gum disease - and many adults are - you may not be aware that taking care of your gums means you are taking better care of your heart as well. There are definite links between heart disease and gum disease. Here are some tips to take care of your gums and lower your heart disease risk. 