February is all about love and hearts, which is fitting since it’s also American Heart Health Month! Now it a great time to take a break from buying flowers and making date night plans to reflect on the health of your heart. Did you know that the wellbeing of this vital organ is influenced by the health of your gums? A growing body of evidence shows that unhealthy gum tissue is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Read on as we break down the connection between these two issues and how taking care of your smile could benefit your heart.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection in the gums that is typically the result of poor oral hygiene. This allows plaque and bacteria to build up in the mouth, which can infect the gums. The initial stages of this infection (gingivitis) cause minor symptoms such as swollen gums that bleed easily. However, if left untreated, the infection can advance into periodontitis. At this point, the infection has grown strong enough to cause permanent damage to the jawbone and the connective tissues that help hold the teeth in place.
Researchers estimate that 80-90% of the American population suffers from gum disease. Thankfully, most cases are gingivitis, which can be cured with early treatment. However, millions of Americans have periodontitis, which cannot be reversed. In fact, periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in the US.
Linking Gum Disease & Heart Health
Recent studies indicate that people with periodontitis are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or another cardiovascular event. While researchers are still working to determine the exact cause of this connection, they believe there are two culprits to blame:
- Bacteria: If the harmful bacteria at the root of gum disease were to escape into the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body, the infection could potentially reach the inner linings of the heart’s valves and chambers.
- Inflammation: Inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to infections like gum disease. However, prolonged inflammation could potentially spread throughout the body, which could narrow and clog important arteries.
How to Keep Your Smile & Your Heart Healthy
While more studies need to be conducted to fully understand the link between gum disease and heart health, both the American Heart Association and the American Dental Association encourage practicing healthy habits like:
- Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day.
- Flossing daily and rinsing with mouthwash regularly.
- Cutting out smoking, chewing, vaping, or any other type of tobacco use.
- Visiting your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
Other factors like age, diet, and genetics can all play a role in your risk of gum disease as well, so be sure to talk to your dentist about specific ways you can minimize your risk. When you keep your gums healthy, your smile and your heart will thank you!
About the Practice
Boerne Dental Center has proudly served caring, compassionate, and comfortable dental care to the smiles of Boerne since 1965. While they always strive to keeps smiles of all ages healthy from the start with personalized preventive dentistry, they are well-equipped to help you overcome gum disease. With state-of-the-art equipment like the soft tissue laser and services like periodontal maintenance and scaling and root planning, they can help you get your gum health back on track. To learn more about gum disease, they can be contacted via their website or at (830) 249-2045.