Like most, you may think of February as a time for romance. After all, it’s the month of Valentine’s Day. In truth, though, these twenty-eight days have another role – they make up American Heart Month! February is thus devoted to your ticker’s health, not just heart-shaped love. If you’d like to honor the occasion, your local dentist is here to help. To that end, read on to learn how the mouth relates to the heart, including why gum disease harms it and some oral tips for improving it.
The Mouth-Heart Connection
As it turns out, your mouth’s health impacts your heart. A suffering oral cavity leads to a weaker ticker.
The core issue is that oral bacteria don’t just stay in your mouth. They can also travel to your heart, attaching themselves to damaged areas and causing inflammation. The result of that process can trigger various heart problems – clogged arteries, strokes, etc. You could even suffer endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining.
Gum Disease & Heart Health
Gum disease is dangerous for the heart, raising your risk of heart disease. That danger only worsens if the gum infection is undiagnosed or unmanaged.
You see, the microbes that infect gums can get into your bloodstream. In doing so, they might elevate a C-reactive protein that can narrow your arteries. That effect, in turn, will increase your odds of heart attacks, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure.
Oral Care Tips for a Stronger Heart
Thankfully, keeping a clean mouth can reduce your heart disease risk. That being the case, remember the following tips:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Brush twice daily and floss once daily, all while paying attention to the gum line. This habit will help you prevent (or manage) gum disease.
- Visit the Dentist Often – Ideally, you should see your dentist twice yearly for checkups and cleanings. That way, they can diagnose and fix oral issues related to your heart.
- Don’t Smoke – Besides staining teeth, tobacco products make you more likely to get gum disease. Therefore, try to quit smoking as best you can.
- Know your Risk Factors – Aside from smoking, gum disease risk is also influenced by age, diet, and genetics. So, talk to your dentist about any specific risk factors.
As you can see, one step to better heart health is a clean and healthy mouth. As such, follow the tips above as you celebrate American Heart Month!
About the Author
Dr. Bruce E. Carter is a dentist in Lawrenceville, GA, having earned his DDM from the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry. He’s also an American Academy of Dentistry fellow and a graduate of the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. Given this background, his specialties are comprehensive dental treatments and emergency smile care. Dr. Carter currently practices at Transforming Smiles and is reachable at his website or by phone at (770)-995-7616.