Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Gum Disease And The Link To Heart Disease

Did you know that taking good care of your teeth can give you more than a healthy and beautiful smile? Healthy oral care habits can save your life by reducing your risk of developing some potentially fatal heart diseases.
What’s The Connection?
The connection between specific dental problems and heart disease is a subject of concern and interest among many researchers. In fact, there are over 120 published research papers and medical studies related to this.
While there are no strong results to completely link or pinpoint gum disease as a direct cause for heart problems, most studies show us these surprising details:

  • Gum disease is also a risk factor for problems related to blood vessels and arteries
  • Individuals who had gum disease and had fewer teeth had a higher risk of getting a stroke.
  • Bacteria found in blood vessels that undergo artherosclerosis is the same as the bacteria found in inflamed gums

Experts agree on plausible reasons for the link between heart health and dental health. One reason for this connection is inflammation, which is a common occurrence for both heart and dental problems. Artherosclerosis, which is also known as the narrowing of arteries, is associated with inflammation. Buildup of fatty deposits in the artery is also a result of this inflammatory process. Inflammation is also associated with gum disease, specifically gingivitis.
Speaking of inflammation, researchers also speculate that gum disease causing bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause swelling of blood cells, leading to arterial clogging.
So even though bad oral health does not directly cause heart disease, scientists and experts agree that there is a very close connection between both. Until researchers are completely sure, the best defense is still to adopt good oral health habits and be mindful of potential problems that might develop with your teeth and gums. Visit your dentist regularly – especially when you notice any changes in the state of your oral health.


A Family Dental Care Center
2030 W. Main St.
Jeffersonville, PA 19403

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