Could Your Oral Health Be Impacting Your Heart health?
Heart disease leads to a high mortality rate globally and is linked with gum disease. Despite the distinction between cardiovascular and dental health, if you are faced with an oral health issue, you are likely at a higher risk of heart-related complications like coronary artery disease. Our dentist in Flower Mound, TX, recommends practicing proper oral hygiene and minimizing the risk of heart disease.
How Your Oral Health Affects the Overall Health
There’s a link between your oral health and your heart. The risk of suffering from heart disease is higher if you have gum diseases like periodontitis or gingivitis. In addition, underlying issues like diabetes and smoking heighten the likelihood of having cardiovascular health issues. Additionally, tooth loss in adulthood is connected to cardiovascular disease.
Our dentist in Flower Mound, TX, examines your oral health conditions to detect any symptoms of heart complications at an early stage. Therefore, undergoing periodic dental appointments for early examination and preventing severe heart health issues is crucial.
How Poor Oral Health Can Lead to Heart Disease
Research indicates that there’s a link between your oral health and heart health. Bacteria present in your mouth may proliferate and cause gum disease. Further, the bacteria may travel to other body parts leading to more health deterioration. The bacteria are transported through the blood vessels and cause inflammation of the heart, a condition known as endocarditis, a life-threatening condition that affects your heart’s inner lining. In addition, a bacterial infection in the bloodstream may adversely affect you if you have damaged valves or other heart health defects.
Risk Factors to Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health
If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, you are at a high risk of having heart-related conditions. Poor oral health care and untreated gum disease may also lead to heart disease. Here are various risk factors that are associated with gum disease:
- Diabetes
- Poor oral health practices
- Smoking of tobacco products
- Hormonal fluctuations due to pregnancy or menopause
- Underlying dental health issues
- Certain medications lower the production of saliva since saliva washes away plaque and bacteria on teeth and gum tissues.
It’s crucial to visit us at our restorative dentistry in Flower Mound, TX, if you have halitosis, receded, reddened, swollen, or bleeding gums. Such symptoms are alarming and could be an indication of gum disease that’s linked to heart disease.
Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Health
Taking care of your gum tissues can aid in minimizing the risk of having heart disease. In addition, maintaining proper oral hygiene practices lowers the severity of bacteria in your system and reduces the risk of stroke and heart-related issues.
Gum disease may lead to adverse dental health complications, and once you avoid gum disease, you are safe from facing heart-related issues. At our restorative dentistry in Flower Mound, TX, we recommend you follow the preventive tips below:
- Cleanse your teeth daily using ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily and use an interdental cleaner to clean between your teeth
- Use recommended mouthwash to rinse and remove food debris between teeth
- Eat a balanced diet food and avoid sugary food and beverages
- Replace your toothbrush regularly and use soft-bristled toothbrushes for cleaning
- Visit your dentist periodically for dental checkups and professional cleaning
- Avoid smoking tobacco that weakens your oral tissues.
Preserving your dental health is vital to maintaining your overall health, and it’s important to visit your dentist if you are faced with any oral health issues. There’s a connection between your oral health and severe heart conditions.
Our Oral Health Practice at Flower Mound, TX
At Smile Craft Dental, we find an ideal treatment plan for all your oral health issues ad ensure you follow the right oral hygiene regimen. We also schedule dental cleaning and exams to prevent the development of gum disease and other chronic health conditions linked to heart disease. If you are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, it’s important to notify your dentist and ensure you take the right medication.
Our oral health care practitioners recommend using ADA-approved toothpaste and floss daily to preserve your oral tissues from infections. Please consult our specialist today if you have concerns about oral health and cardiovascular disease.