The Link Between Your Teeth and Your Heart

The Link Between Your Teeth and Your Heart

February is heart health month and we thought we’d give you a reminder about why you seriously need to get your oral health under control. Now, we know we have told you plenty of times that your teeth are a window to your health. Your mouth plays an important part of your overall health.

Researchers have yet to find the exact link between your teeth and your heart, but they do know that you are more than twice as likely to have heart disease. Researchers think the key is the bacteria. When the gingivitis-causing bacteria in your mouth enter the blood stream through your gums, they start to stick to the fatty plaque deposits, these then trigger the body’s inflammatory response. The blood vessels swell causing blood flow reduction and clots. These can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

So, if you notice signs of periodontal disease, such as

  • Persistent bad breath
  • Receding gums
  • Bleeding when you brush, eat, and/or floss
  • Red, swollen gums
  • Pain in the mouth
  • Sores in the mouth

 

If you notice these signs, you need to talk to your dentist right away. The most important thing is to stop the infection, close the gum pockets, and repair the damage caused by the bacterial infection. You dentists can prescribe different products like mouthwashes that are stronger than what you can get over the counter.

Your best option is to practice good dental hygiene and take care of your teeth and gums. With the help of your dentist, you can make sure that the nasty gingivitis bacteria never gets a foothold in your mouth or your heart.