How Oral Health & Heart Disease Are Connected

We already know that good oral health is essential to our overall health. But unfortunately, many Canadians are living with periodontal or gum disease, don't even know it, and go on being undiagnosed. This actually happens a lot since the people's teeth themselves "feel" fine, so they skip going to the dentist and pay little attention to their oral health for long periods of time. But this is an issue since there is now clear evidence of two very well-defined connections between a person's oral health (most specifically gums) and heart disease. The first of these two studies showed that if you have gum disease in a modest or advanced stage, you're at a much higher risk for a heart-related disease than someone with much more healthy gums. Secondly, it has been found that your oral health can be used as an indicator to provide doctors with early warning signs for a wide range of diseases, including those that have to do with your heart.

How Are These Two Things Related?

A person's oral health and heart disease are connected through the spread of bacteria and other kinds of germs. These germs move from your mouth through to your other body parts and your bloodstream. Once those bacterias reach your heart, they can easily attach themselves to any damaged area of your heart and cause additional inflammation. This can often result in illnesses like endocarditic, an infection in the inner lining of the heart, according to Mayo Clinic. Other cardiovascular conditions, such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and stroke, have also been linked to inflammation caused by oral bacteria.

Who Is at Risk?

People who have chronic gum conditions like gingivitis or periodontal disease are at the highest risk for getting heart disease caused by poor oral health, especially if it remains undiagnosed and not well managed. The bacteria that are connected with gum infections are in the mouth and can easily enter the person's bloodstream, where they can attach to the blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Even if a person doesn't have noticeable gum irritation or inflammation, poor oral health, and accumulated plaque (Yes, the regular plaque that forms on your teeth is the same type of plaque that forms in your arteries and causes heart disease) puts people at a higher risk for gum disease.

Prevention Measures

Maintaining good oral hygiene and going to regular dental exams are the best way to help protect yourself against gum disease. Brushing twice a day with a brush that fits your mouth comfortably so that it reaches every one of your tooth surfaces adequately. Also, be sure to floss on a daily basis and visit your dentist for regularly scheduled cleanings.

Have questions about your oral health, or want to book an overall oral health exam, contact us anytime, and remember, consultations are always free-of-charge.