The Relationship Between Oral Health and Heart Disease

Your mouth is said to be the window to your body, enabling you to gain a lot of information about your body’s health. One of the most interesting and important relationships in medical science is the relationship between oral health and heart disease, tells a family dentist in Upper East Side, New York. This relationship firmly establishes that taking care of your teeth should be about much more than a winning smile. So today we will see, how these two are interrelated and why having good oral health can also lead to better cardiovascular health.

Connection Between the Heart and Oral Health

Although the precise mechanisms that connect oral health with heart disease are not fully understood, some explanations have been floated. The relationship between oral and overall health is largely connected to bacteria and inflammation. Here’s how it works:

• Bacterial Invasion: 

Bacteria carried through the bloodstream, clinging to fatty deposits in heart blood vessels can contribute to harmful clots and increase your risk of heart disease. Our mouths contain millions of bacteria, the vast majority of which are not harmful. However, in the absence of proper oral hygiene, gum disease (periodontitis) will emerge through the growth of bad bacteria. 

• Inflammation: 

The bacteria can then flow in the bloodstream causing inflammation of blood vessels resulting in arterial plaque. A person with hypertension can start to develop cholesterol and plaque in their arteries. This plaque can cause the arteries to harden and become narrow and this is called atherosclerosis, and this can reduce blood flow throwing this blood clot causing a heart attack or stroke.

• Endocarditis: 

A serious condition that may be associated with poor oral health is endocarditis, an infection with the inner lining of the heart. In some cases, the bacteria that travel from your mouth through the blood can attach to a damaged area in your heart, causing life-threatening inflammation and/or infection.

• Inflammation and Arterial Plaque: 

Oral bacteria can cause an immune response in the body which leads to inflammation and aids in the buildup of arterial plaque.

Evidence of this Connection

Researchers published a study in The Journal of the American Heart Association concluded that if you have gum disease, you have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease. Its research showed a 20% increased risk of heart disease for those with periodontitis compared to those with a healthy set of gums. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) as well as the American Heart Association (AHA), gum disease has an association with heart disease as well, making it so that the prevention of cardiovascular disease starts long before with the maintenance of proper oral hygiene.

What are the Risk Factors?

There are some risk factors for both gum disease and heart disease, which help establish a stronger link between the two:

• Bad Hygiene: 

This can mean not brushing and flossing enough to eventually cause plaque and bacteria on the teeth.

• Tobacco: 

Tobacco is a contributor to the development of both gum disease and heart disease.

• Diabetes: 

Those with diabetes are more at risk of infection and as a result gum disease and heart disease.

• Age: 

It is a risk factor for both gum disease and heart disease.

Symptoms to Watch For

Knowing the symptoms of gum disease and heart disease can help:

• Gum Disease: 

Red, swollen or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, loose teeth

• Heart disease: 

Symptoms of heart disease are chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, fatigue, or palpitations. Get medical help immediately if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction

How to Prevent It?

Given the connection between oral health and heart disease, it is crucial to adopt preventive measures that benefit both. One of the crucial things to do is to maintain good oral hygiene. Moreover, it is important to avoid tobacco-containing products for both your oral and coronary health. Managing stress and eating healthy is also beneficial to prevent oral and heart diseases. 

The oral health-heart disease link underscores the vital role of dental health as it relates to your overall health and well-being. You can drastically reduce your chance of both gum disease and cardiovascular conditions by learning the connection and taking preventative action. Healthy teeth and gums are the key to a healthy heart and a longer life.