While the two may at first seem unrelated, your oral health has a direct impact on your heart health. Continue reading to learn more.
What’s The Connection?
Our mouths are home to bacteria that rests on the surface of the teeth in the form of a sticky substance known as plaque.
When plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth and is not removed with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, it hardens into a substance called tartar. Tartar is rock-hard and nearly impossible to remove from the surface of the teeth without the help of professional dental tools.
As the bacteria continues to grow and multiply, it initiates inflammation in the gum tissue and begins to erode the underlying bone. This is a condition known as periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease.
Recent studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease. While the connection is not clearly understood, it is known that any form of inflammation is not conducive to the health of our arteries and blood vessels.
Staying Healthy
To maintain the health of both your mouth and heart, ensure that you are brushing and flossing twice daily, and attending your regular professional cleaning appointments.
This will help keep your mouth free of dangerous bacteria that can pose a risk to both the health of your mouth as well as your heart.
Be sure to eat a healthy diet, high in fiber. This is another reason to maintain healthy teeth! Also, exercise on a routine basis and keep stress to a minimum.
Gum Disease Treatment in Waynesville, NC
The key to a healthy and happy lifestyle lies with a healthy mouth.
Here at Michael Gillespie Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to helping our patients maintain the healthiest smile possible. We provide routine dental cleanings as well as more advanced treatment for dental gum disease. For more information about gum disease or to get scheduled in our Waynesville dental office, give us a call at (828) 456-9007.
