Heart Health

February isn’t just known for Valentine’s Day but also known has heart month. As we all know it is important to have a healthy heart to maintain a healthy life. Today I will be discussing the oral systemic link that is related to a healthy heart.

If you have poor oral hygiene and have active gum disease (gingivitis/periodontitis) you have an increased risk of developing heart disease if this is not clinically treated. Who would have thought if your gums are bleeding could affect your heart? There is a direct link from the bad bacteria in someone who has gum disease and heart health. The bad bacteria in the oral cavity can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart. Think clogging the arteries with the bad plaque bacteria which then can lead to a heart attack and/or stroke. Prevention is paramount. Stop putting that professional dental hygiene cleaning off! Maintain good oral hygiene habits, brushing for 2 minutes twice daily at least. Interdental cleaning daily either by flossing, proxabrush, soft pics or using a waterpik. Incorporating a daily mouthrinse such as listerine to reduce the bad bacteria in the mouth. Lastly, getting into see your dental hygienist at regular intervals can help you reduce your risk of heart disease.

In closing, your mouth health is directly related to your heart health. Yes, read that again. Poor oral health can cause heart disease. In order to avoid heart disease it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene habits and see your dental hygienist regularly. Keep smiling and Happy Valentine’s day!

For more information please visit https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov > PM… A Systemic Review on the Impact of Periodontal Disease on Cardiovascular