The link between your oral health and heart is much more significant than you may realize. For decades, dentists have been saying certain conditions that develop inside the mouth can have a positive or negative effect on a person’s cardiovascular system. One of these is gum disease. To ensure your heart remains in the best possible shape, learn what you can do to take better care of the soft oral tissues helping to hold your teeth in place.
How Can Gum Disease Lead to Poor Heart Health?
Gum disease is the buildup of bacteria and plaque in the mouth that attacks the gums, causing bleeding, inflammation, and tenderness. It can start as gingivitis, which is the earliest stage with reversible symptoms, and quickly progress to periodontitis, which causes bone and tooth loss.
If the infection remains untreated, it can enter your bloodstream and travel to different parts of the body, wreaking havoc along the way. Since gum disease causes inflammation that can be manifested in various ways, it’s likely to affect the arteries surrounding the heart. It also weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight off other infections that might develop.
As a result, you can suffer a stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and other serious cardiovascular complications.
Ways to Keep Your Gums & Heart Healthy
Although there may be genetic factors that cannot be prevented, dentists share many ways you can reduce your risk and maintain a healthier heart and set of gums, including:
- Adopting good oral hygiene habits that include brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush for two minutes, twice a day. You’ll also need to floss between your teeth daily and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Keeping regularly scheduled dental checkups and cleanings, so your dentist can pinpoint the earliest signs of gum disease and administer timely treatment.
- Giving up smoking and other similar harmful habits.
- Watching what you eat and choosing healthier food options, as opposed to those filled with sugar and starch.
- Talking to your local physician about any medications you are taking to treat and improve the health of your heart.
- Getting plenty of exercise to reduce weight gain that may be hindering how your heart works.
Don’t let gum disease be something you put on the back burner. Instead, seek professional care the moment you recognize symptoms so that you can get the care you need that benefits more than just your oral health.
About the Practice
Rauchberg Dental Group is a multi-specialty practice led by Dr. Alan Rauchberg. With five dental experts, we are pleased to have board-certified periodontist Dr. Eunjung Shim, who provides exceptional gum disease treatment. Offering multiple techniques to eliminate harmful bacteria and plaque buildup, our team is here to ensure your oral and overall health reap the rewards of proactive care. If you are concerned that your gums might negatively affect your heart or other parts of your body, visit our website or call (973) 718-9887 to schedule a consultation.