Are Gum Disease & Heart Disease Related?

What do your teeth and your heart have in common? Other than the fact that they’re in your body, it’s hard to think of ways that your gum health and heart health could possibly be linked. But the truth is that they are! In this post, we take a look at gum disease and heart disease, along with why it’s so important to keep your gums clean and healthy if you want optimum overall health.

Gum Disease 101

Gum disease occurs when bacteria collect between teeth and on the gums to the point where you develop an infection. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which includes symptoms like redness, swelling, and tenderness of the gums. If left untreated, this inflammation and mild irritation will develop into the second stage of gum disease, periodontitis, and the third stage, advanced periodontitis, both characterized by infection. Untreated gum disease will eventually result in pain, tooth loss, and bone destruction.

How Gum Health Affects Heart Health

This can impact your heart health greatly, because as the bacteria multiply in your mouth, they can get into your bloodstream, travel throughout your whole body, and contribute to heart disease. Studies have shown that this bad bacteria can collect in your heart’s arteries, leading to clogs and inflammation, which hinders adequate circulation and suppresses your heart’s response to autoimmune attacks.

Although the connection between gum disease and heart disease is still being studied, the current evidence is convincing, and it makes complete sense given that your oral health has a major impact on your overall health (even your reproductive health and immune health). We encourage you to maintain a superb oral healthcare routine to keep not only your mouth healthy, but your heart healthy, too!

How to Prevent Gum Disease

A balanced, healthy diet and a consistent oral hygiene can help prevent gum disease. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and floss between your teeth at least once a day to remove bacteria and food particles from under your gumline. Additionally, visit us here at True Dental every six months so we can regularly evaluate your gum health and identify any issues in their earliest stages.

Need Help Improving Your Oral Health?

At True Dental, we know just how important it is to maintain an optimum level of health through your oral health. We look forward to helping you stay healthy–contact us to schedule an appointment today!

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