Can Gum Disease Give You A Heart Attack? What’s The Connection?

By Author: John Robarth
Total Articles: 240
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If you have healthy mouth, does it also equate to a healthy heart? Although it is yet to be proven, a growing number of studies appear to say so. Poor oral and heart disease are some of the biggest health problems in the world, so is there some relation between them. Is it really possible that dentists can look into your mouth and determine the condition of your heart.
Inflammation in Gum and Heart Disease
Experts do believe that there is a strong correlation between oral disease and heart function. The thing that links these two health problems is inflammation. Otherwise known as swelling, it can lead to hardened arteries or atherosclerosis. This condition makes it hard for blood to freely flow through your veins, putting you at a higher risk for stroke and heart attack.
Inflammation is a surefire sign of gum disease, which comes in two types: gum disease and periodontitis. It is the latter that can be a cause of heart disease. If your gums are disrupted, this can cause the bacteria to get inside to the other parts of the body, including the heart. Inflammation damages the blood vessels, including those in ...
... the heart.
Bacteria in Gum and Heart Disease
Studies have shown that the bacteria found in gum disease (Streptococcus sanguis) plays a role in heart attack. Without gum disease, there is significantly less bacteria found in the heart. Some research suggests that the more bacteria there is in your gum disease, the thicker your carotid arteries are. If they are too thick, blood cannot flow to the brain, causing stroke.
Although bacteria might play a role in heart health, doctors say a person’s lifestyle choices are a facto as well. People with poor oral health tend to generally have bad habits. They don’t properly take care of themselves, they smoke, drink a lot, and are not eating well. These people also have diabetes, which is a strong risk factor for heart disease.
In the end, there really is no concrete evidence that heart disease can be prevented by preventing gum disease. Still, it’s important to get regular oral check-ups, including dental x-rays. It’s also essentialto treat gum disease as early as possible to save your teeth and stay healthy. If you’re aggressive at ensuring your oral health, your overall health should get better as well.

About D. Dental:
D. Dental offers top of the line dental services in Castle Hills that are guaranteed to be efficient, affordable and pain-free. With the number one dentist in Castle Hills, Lewisville, The Colony and Carrollton, Dr. Ryan Daniel will bring gentle oral care to the entire family.