{"id":695,"date":"2023-02-03T15:32:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T15:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olberdingdental.com\/blog\/?p=695"},"modified":"2023-03-21T03:33:07","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T03:33:07","slug":"how-good-teeth-improve-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olberdingdental.com\/blog\/2023\/02\/how-good-teeth-improve-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Get a Healthy Heart by Cleaning Your Smile"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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\u2019s Day. Still, there\u2019s more to these twenty-eight days than you\u2019d think. You see, they make up American Heart Month! February, then, is meant to honor heart health, not only \u2018hearty\u2019 love. Your local dentist is thus here to help you celebrate. Read on to learn the mouth-heart connection, how gum disease<\/a> affects it, and oral care tips that strengthen the old chest muscle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How the Mouth & Heart Relate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In reality, your mouth\u2019s health impacts that of your heart. When the former suffers, there\u2019s a good chance the latter will too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019d then experience worrisome heart issues \u2013 strokes, clogged arteries, or worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum Disease Inflicts Heart Damage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental Care Tips for a Healthy Heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you can always keep bad bacteria at bay to reduce heart disease risk. All you need to do is remember the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n