Can taking care of your gums help keep your heart healthy? Although the true nature of this relationship is still being researched, the American Dental Association and the American Heart Association agree that there is a connection between gum disease and heart disease. Since nearly half of American adults have some form of periodontitis, the more advanced stage of gum disease, it’s crucial to learn more about the link between our oral health and overall wellbeing. Your Midlothian dentist explains more about the link between your gums and your heart, and how you can keep both healthy.
The Link Between Oral and Overall Health
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90% of whole-body health issues present symptoms in the mouth, including:
- Diabetes, which could cause bleeding gums and bad breath.
- Cancer, which could manifest as odd sores, swelling, or lumps in the mouth or neck.
- Osteoporosis, since the resulting bone loss can be seen in the jawbone with an X-ray.
It appears that the health of the mouth can influence the rest of the body as well. Researchers have discovered that those with an oral infection are 40% more likely to develop health conditions like respiratory disease, memory loss, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Connecting Gum Disease and Heart Health
Recently, dental and health experts have begun to focus on the connection between gum health and heart health. Numerous studies indicate that gum disease can increase risk of heart disease by 20%, which many researchers attribute to:
- Bacteria: Gum disease is the result of a bacterial infection in the gum tissue. While relatively harmless at first, it can grow to cause permanent damage and tooth loss if left untreated. If this harmful bacteria escapes into the blood stream, it can theoretically reach the heart and infect the inner linings of its chambers or valves.
- Inflammation: The body’s natural response to infection is inflammation. Research suggests that a prolonged reaction to gum disease could cause this inflammation to spread throughout the body. This could potentially clog the arteries and cause cardiovascular disease.
What to Do About Gum Disease
Even though the link between these two conditions isn’t fully understood, health and dental experts still highly encourage treating gum disease as early as possible. For most cases, this can be accomplished with a procedure called scaling and root planning. In more severe cases, your dentist may suggest antibiotic therapy or periodontal surgery to completely eliminate the bacteria.
Thankfully, the early stages of gum disease can be prevented and entirely reversed with great oral hygiene. Brushing for two minutes twice a day, using dental floss and mouthwash routinely, and getting a dental checkup twice a year is the best way to stop gum disease before it can develop in the first place. When you keep your smile healthy, your whole body will thank you.
About the Author
At Marvel Dental in Midlothian, TX, we know that a healthy smile is important for the whole body. That’s why Dr. Jay Oza carefully inspects your gums at every appointment. While he would much rather prevent gum disease with regular cleanings twice a year, he’s here to help if you do develop this condition. With the help of advanced techniques and trusted local specialists, he can help you overcome gum disease and protect that happy, healthy smile. If you have more questions about gum disease, feel free to contact him via his website or at (682) 772-3072.