It’s a fact that our bodies are ecosystems and that a change in one area often affects another area of our body. Currently, the connection between dental care and cardiovascular health is becoming more clear. This is largely due to studies that suggest proper dental care and oral hygiene could reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. In this article we’ll take a look at how proper dental care can lead to a healthier heart.
It’s been well known in the dental care world that the inflammation caused by gum disease can lead to the increased risk for heart problems. Scientists, however, have only recently discovered that infected or bleeding gums can provide easy access for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Once bacteria is inside, it can lead to low-level inflammation of the blood vessels or even a full-blown blood infection. Due to this, treatment can often become very difficult once the bacteria have established themselves within your body. In turn, the constant inflammation can induce the hardening of the arterial walls and cause blockages.
The healthcare community has always struggled with solutions to prevent heart disease. However, dental care issues like gum disease are completely preventable. It’s in your best interest to not only schedule regular dental care check-ups, but also follow a strict dental care regimen at home. A few dental care tips include:
- Brush twice a day for no less than two minutes.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking.
- Don’t miss regular cleanings or dental care check-ups.
It’s likely more evidence will be found regarding the connection between dental care and heart health. However, beginning great dental care habits now and sticking to them will help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other dental care problems. Need to book a dental care check-up? Contact Smiles of Bellevue and Eastside Smiles today.
