Dental Issues and Their Relation to Heart Health

People often don't realize the impact that dental issues can have on their overall health, particularly their heart health. Since the mouth serves as the gateway into the body, its health impacts other parts such as your heart. In this blog post, we will explore this link between dental problems and heart health as well as steps you can take to keep both as healthy as possible.

How Dental Problems Impact Heart Health

There are various ways dental issues can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease:

Periodontal (or gum) disease, also referred to as “gum disease,” is a chronic infection of the gums and supporting tissues around teeth caused by bacteria that enters the bloodstream via mouth bacteria and causes inflammation throughout the body, including inflammation in the heart. Studies have demonstrated an association between periodontal disease and an increased risk for cardiovascular issues (such as heart attacks or stroke) and periodontal disease.

Endocarditis is an uncommon but serious heart condition in which the inner lining becomes infected by bacteria from your mouth entering through the bloodstream and traveling directly to your heart. People who already have damaged valves or a history of endocarditis are at an increased risk for endocarditis recurrence.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

Bad oral health habits can lead to numerous dental issues, from tooth decay and gum disease to chronic inflammation throughout the body and increased risks for heart disease and other health concerns.

Steps You Can Take to Keep Your Mouth and Heart Healthy

At least there are steps you can take to keep both your mouth and heart healthy:

Make Sure You Brush and Floss Regularly

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice each day and floss once at least every day to reduce plaque and bacteria buildup on teeth and gums, decreasing the risk of dental problems.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Regular dental checkups and cleanings can help identify and address dental issues before they worsen. At the same time, your dentist can offer advice for maintaining good oral health.

Smoking can put both gum disease and heart disease at greater risk, so quitting smoking may help lower these risks.

Consume a Healthy Diet

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can be one of the best ways to keep both your mouth and body healthy.

Stress Can Affect Gum Health

High stress levels increase the risk of gum disease and other health problems. Finding effective methods of stress relief, such as yoga or meditation, may help lower the risk and enhance your overall wellbeing, ultimately decreasing dental issues while improving overall wellness.

Dental problems have the power to negatively impact overall health and wellbeing. By adopting healthy lifestyle practices and prioritizing good oral hygiene, we can lower the risk of dental issues while improving overall wellbeing.

Please contact our friendly team at (905) 677-7133 today! We look forward to helping you achieve excellent oral health!