It is next to possible to think that your oral health can be connected with heart disease also. But, indeed, oral health (such as tooth loss or gum disease) can directly affect your heart such as heart stroke or attack.
Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes can lower down the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
How cardiovascular disease and poor oral health be connected?
The bacteria present in your mouth that causes gum and teeth infection causes gingivitis can travel to elsewhere in the body through blood vessels can cause blood vessel inflammation and damage followed by tiny blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.
Bacteria present in the mouth not only cause infection but the body’s immune response causes inflammation that causes vascular damage in the body, including the brain and heart.
There may be no direct connection between gum disease and cardiovascular disease but the other factor that can also affect is smoking. Smoking can affect both your oral health as well as cardiovascular health.
Symptoms and warning signs:
Your gums are swollen, red, and sore when touched.
Notice bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.
Your gums bleed when you brush, eat or floss.
Infection around teeth or gums.
You feel the loose tooth.
Who is at risk?
Patients who are facing chronic gum conditions such as Gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease have the highest risk for heart disease which is caused by poor oral health when it remains undiagnosed or unmanaged. The bacteria that are mostly associated with gum infection are present in the mouth and enter the bloodstream, where they get attached to blood vessels and increase the risk for cardiovascular disease.
People think if gum inflammation is not noticed you cannot affect the heart but inadequate oral hygiene and accumulated plaque can put you at risk for gum disease.
Measures for prevention:
For prevention of gum disease and proper oral hygiene brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush that perfectly fits your mouth and reaches every tooth surface even on teeth that are far away. Use toothpaste in which fluoride content is high to increase gum health. You should also floss daily and regular dental check-up for regular professional cleaning is a must.
By being proactive about your oral health, you can protect yourself from developing any connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease.