Oral Health and the Health of Your Heart

In just a few days, couples across the country will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. Given how much the heart figures into Valentine’s cards, candy and decorations, now seems like a good time to make you aware of the connection between your oral health—and specifically gum disease—and your overall health. Are you surprised to hear that there’s a connection at all? Many people don’t realize that one exists, but according to recent data, it does.

Gum disease starts with the accumulation of bacteria and plaque around the gum line. Over time, as these two irritate the mouth’s soft tissues, an infection will develop, resulting in symptoms like bleeding, sensitivity, swelling and more. Given enough time, gum disease creates pockets between the teeth and gum line. From these pockets bacteria and plaque can gain access to the body’s bloodstream, traveling to, among other places, the heart, where they can contribute to clotting and even heart attacks.

Gum disease has also been linked to other kinds of health problems, including:

• Alzheimer’s
• Stroke
• Pre-term birth
• Diabetes
• Pneumonia

How can you prevent health problems related to gum disease? By following a few simple steps.

First, make sure you’re following a good brushing and flossing regimen. Brushing twice a day—or after every meal, if you can—will help you keep bacteria and plaque from building up around your teeth, while flossing once a day will help you clean between your teeth. You can also add an antibacterial mouthwash to your routine to make it more effective.

The next step you can take is to see Dr. Folck or Dr. Santos on a regular basis for checkups and cleanings. Checkups will help us spot gum disease before it develops into a serious problem; cleanings give us a chance to remove bacteria and plaque you couldn’t get by yourself at home.

Do you have questions about the oral health-heart health connection? Is it time for your next checkup and cleaning? Call Smile by Design today for an appointment. We serve patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sandbridge, and beyond.