It might surprise you to learn that, each year, one in every four American deaths is due to heart disease.
In fact, among all races and ethnicities, heart disease is the number one leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, at all ages, it is extremely important to keep heart health in mind and take preventative care into one’s own hands.
Heart disease can be brought about by a wide variety of factors, including poor oral health. Similarly, poor oral health is associated with the development of many different diseases as well, leaving many to speculate as to how closely oral health and heart disease are related. This brief guide can help you learn more.
How Are Oral Health And Heart Disease Connected?
Oral health and heart disease are primarily connected for one central reason: bacteria.
The bacteria that collects in your mouth ends up being carried throughout your bloodstream, eventually making its way to your heart. Thus, if you do not take proper care of your teeth and gums, the buildup of bacteria can eventually spread to your heart, causing inflammation, irregularity, and numerous other health problems.
The easiest way for oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream is through one’s gums. With an excess of oral bacteria, the inner lining of one’s heart can be at risk of becoming infected. Also, such a bacterial abundance can inflame and clog one’s arteries, leaving you at risk of a stroke.
In addition, diabetes and oral health share a unique connection as well. Those with diabetes have more glucose in their saliva, which causes a quicker accumulation of plaque.
For these reasons, proper care of your teeth and gums is essential for both oral health and overall health.
Preventative Care
There are several telltale signs that you might be taking insufficient care of your teeth and gums.
For example, you may see that your gums are red, swollen, or receding, or that they bleed when you brush or floss. You may also notice that you often have a bad taste in your mouth, or that your breath is particularly foul. Each of these symptoms signals a harmful accumulation of bacteria in your mouth.
To prevent this, CDC oral health experts recommend brushing your teeth twice and flossing once every day. You should also visit a dental hygienist at least once a year, and be sure to do your research in selecting the best cosmetic dentist in your area.
Stay Informed and Healthy
The link between oral health and heart disease is an absolutely crucial one, for, as the adage goes, “Death creeps in through the gums”. Luckily, there is far more you can do to maintain the health of your gums and heart.
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