The Surprising Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Health

February is American Heart Month, which is a time when healthcare professionals across the country emphasize the importance of a healthy heart to their patients. Heart disease is the number one cause of death among adults in the U.S., so informing people about what they can do to improve their cardiovascular health is critically important.

As it turns out, taking care of your oral health can help you to prevent heart disease. If you’re curious, here’s how.

Gum Disease and Heart Health

It may be surprising, but as it turns out, there is a lot of evidence to support a connection between gum disease and coronary heart disease. Studies have shown that there is a significant correlation between the two conditions, with patients with heart disease having a disproportionately high rate of gingivitis or periodontitis.

The leading theory is that the bacteria responsible for gum disease can seep into the bloodstream through the gums and go into other parts of the body. The same inflammation that affects your gums can therefore happen in the heart.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

Now that you know the risks involved, you probably want to do everything you can to not develop gum disease. The most important thing you can do in this regard is to take good care of your teeth. That starts with brushing a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You should also floss at least once a day to break up areas of plaque buildup between the teeth. What we call plaque is actually a small bacterial colony, and it’s a huge factor in developing gum disease.

Finally, you should make a point of seeing your dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. Your dentist can clean in places that you can’t reach on your own, and break up plaque deposits in those areas.

Fortunately, preventing gum disease isn’t all that much trouble. Just keep up with your daily hygiene, and your teeth and heart will remain in top shape.

About Our Practice

At Rubal Dentistry Azle, we know that some people dread going to the dentist—when they come to our office, they’re always pleasantly surprised! We work hard to put all of our patients at ease, making our office a calming and comfortable environment. We’ll be happy to work with you as an equal to bring you immaculate oral health.

If you have any questions about how your oral health can affect your heart, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (817) 444-2585.