Oral Health & Your Heart

Healthy Hygiene, Healthy Heart

Believe it or not, how you take care of your teeth and gums affects not only your oral health, but your cardiovascular health as well. Although scientists are not certain of the precise relationship between the heart and oral hygiene, studies consistently demonstrate a link.

It's possible that a mouth filled with bacteria and their toxins allows a continuous stream of poisons to enter the system. If the bacteria reach your arteries, they may cause the same kind of irritation they caused in your gums and mouth. Arterial wall irritations typically result in a buildup of protective plaque, which in turn can harden, thus blocking blood flow. Without sufficient blood flow, your heart can easily have a myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. Furthermore, loosened arterial plaque can travel through the bloodstream, reach your brain, and cause a stroke.

Prevention & Detection

Healthy teeth and gums are your best defense, so maintain a regimen of daily brushing and flossing and regular dental visits twice a year. Remember, gum disease and oral cancer are silent but serious problems that may go unnoticed without professional exams.