Dental Care and Heart Health: Protecting Your Wellbeing
Your mouth is an important part of your body, and how you treat it can have a major impact on your general health. The reverse is also true - your overall health can affect your dental health. If you suffer from a damaging oral health condition, we can improve your general welfare with restorative dentistry procedures. In addition to providing helpful treatments, Dr. Patrick Tanner and our team work to educate our patients about their dental and general health. To that end, we often discuss the connection between dental care and heart health at our South Ogden dental practice. Read on to learn more about this link.
The Latest Research on Gum Disease and Cardiac Conditions
Doctors are not entirely sure why periodontal (gum) and cardiovascular health is so interconnected, but recent studies confirm that they have a definite relationship. Consider the following:
- Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health published a report stating that patients whose mouths were infected with potentially harmful periodontal bacteria had a higher risk for blocked arteries, which could lead to coronary artery disease, stroke, blood vessel disorders, and other cardiovascular issues.
- According to the Journal of the American Heart Association, study participants who suffered tooth loss or extraction as a result of periodontitis (advanced gum disease) had a 57 percent higher chance of suffering a fatal stroke.
- In August 2014, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine published a study on approximately 340,000 patients who exhibited both periodontal infection and another condition, such as cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that patients who treated their gum disease ultimately had fewer hospitalizations and lower medical expenses for their concurrent conditions, suggesting a relationship between the two.
Many dentists and oral health researchers suspect that the link between heart conditions and gum disease could be related to system-wide infection or swelling, which are aspects of both issues.
Dental Care for Patients with Heart Disease
If you suffer from a cardiovascular condition, you may face particular risks during dental treatment. Dr. Tanner and our team can help accommodate your unique needs while providing excellent care. Dr. Tanner will discuss your distinctive needs at your initial consultation or first appointment.
Maintaining a Heart-healthy Smile
Keeping your heart healthy requires eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise, and seeing your general physician for monitoring. However, you can also preserve and enhance your cardiovascular wellbeing simply by taking good care of your mouth. You can maintain a heart-healthy smile by:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice per day, flossing at least once, and using antibacterial mouthwash to keep infection at bay.
- Monitoring your tissue for signs of gum disease, which could include bleeding, redness, swelling, or a foul taste.
- Attending routine cleanings and exams at our office. During these visits, Dr. Tanner will assess your mouth for signs of gum disease and provide proper treatment as needed.
Contact South Ogden Smiles
Dr. Tanner and our team specialize in holistic health care. We enjoy helping patients enjoy a better quality of life by caring for their smiles. To learn more about the link between heart health and dental care, contact our dental office today to schedule a consultation.