Like many, you may think February has little going for it. The month, after all, is best known for just two holidays: Groundhog Day and Valentine’s Day. Still, there’s more to these twenty-eight days than you’d think. You see, they make up American Heart Month! February, then, is meant to honor heart health, not only ‘hearty’ love. Your local dentist is thus here to help you celebrate. Read on to learn the mouth-heart connection, how gum disease affects it, and oral care tips that strengthen the old chest muscle.
How the Mouth & Heart Relate
In reality, your mouth’s health impacts that of your heart. When the former suffers, there’s a good chance the latter will too.
The problem is that oral bacteria can reach more than your mouth. Left unchecked, they might enter your bloodstream and travel to your heart. From there, the microbes could attach to damaged areas and cause inflammation. You’d then experience worrisome heart issues – strokes, clogged arteries, or worse.
Gum Disease Inflicts Heart Damage
Given the heart-mouth connection, gum disease is awful for your ticker. If undiagnosed or untreated, it could greatly raise your risk of heart disease.
Unfortunately, the bacteria that infect gums are likely to enter your blood. In doing so, they can cause elevated C-reactive protein, a marker for blood vessel inflammation. That effect, in turn, will increase your odds of heart attacks, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure.
Dental Care Tips for a Healthy Heart
Of course, you can always keep bad bacteria at bay to reduce heart disease risk. All you need to do is remember the following:
- Follow Oral Hygiene Habits – If you brush twice daily and floss once daily, you can protect against gum disease. Therefore, the habits will also protect your heart.
- See Your Dentist – As you already should, see your dentist at least twice yearly for checkups and cleanings. Doing so lets them diagnose and fix oral issues that might hurt your heart.
- Avoid Bad Oral Habits – Tobacco products elevate your odds of gum disease. That being said, quit using such items as best you can.
- Know Risk Factors – Your risk of gum disease can be impacted by age, diet, and genetics. Talk to your dentist, then, if you think these factors put your gums in danger.
Ultimately, a good step toward ideal heart health is cleaning your teeth and gums. So, follow the tips above as you work through American Heart Month!
About the Practice
Olberding Dental is based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Led by Dr. Louis Olberding, our practice offers top-quality dental care using the latest methods and tools. To that end, we perform excellent treatments that span preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency procedures. You can also count on us for TMJ and periodontal therapies. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (402)-488-2325.