Did you know that good dental care is good for your heart? Most people are unaware that there is a definitive link between healthy smiles and good heart health. According to the American Heart Association, conditions such as “gum infections, gum inflammation, and tooth damage” are all implicitly linked to the risks of dying from or being diagnosed with one of the following conditions –heart failure, heart attack, or a stroke.
There have been numerous studies along these lines with a variety of theories related to why the correlation between dental health and heart health are so profound. Among the popular theories floating around are the following.
Good Oral Health Leads to Less Inflammation
Inflammation is a heart killer. The chronic inflammation associated with gum disease and poor oral health are particularly problematic, placing a great amount of strain upon the heart. Taking care of your smile through daily dental hygiene and receiving routine dental care on a regular basis throughout your life, can go a long way toward reducing the strain on your heart.
People Who Take Care of their Teeth Take Care of Other Aspects of Health
Another prevailing theory is that people who are dedicated in caring for heir oral health are equally dedicated when it comes to other areas of their health. Which could be a leading explanation for maintaining better oral and heart health. The emphasis here, though, is that these people are dedicated to healthy bodies and make healthier choices from dental care, hygiene, and treatments to healthy lifestyle choices.
In addition to regular dentist visits, there are some things you can do to ensure your healthy smile helps you keep your heart healthier for a long, long time. This includes things like twice daily brushing (at minimum), daily flossing, and scheduling regular visits with your dentists for oral care and cleaning.
There is a special note to consider for patients with diabetes. Whether you have type one or type two diabetes, you are at a heightened risk for cardiovascular disease. People with type 1 diabetes, for instance, have three times greater mortality rates from cardiovascular disease than the general public. Mayo Clinic suggests that people with diabetes benefit greatly from receiving periodontal treatment, in addition to practicing diligent oral hygiene for themselves.
While a smile is a terrible thing to waste and everyone wants to preserve and protect it, the news about its association with heart disease is yet another incentive to do so.
