Oral Health and Heart Disease

As the American Heart Association celebrates 100 years of American Heart Month, we want to bring attention to your heart, through your teeth! As research advances, we see a connection between oral health and heart disease. A study done in 2018 found a correlation between those who experienced cardiovascular events, and those experienced tooth loss due to poor oral health. Let’s take a deeper look into how exactly oral health can increase the chances of heart disease.

Oral health problem areas

When looking at the most problematic oral health issues, there are three that stand out with heart disease; gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth decay.

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common form of gum disease after plaque buildup.

Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is a more severe gum infection that affects the surrounding gums and bones.

Tooth Decay
Tooth decay, also known as a cavity, occurs when bacteria in your mouth produce acid that attacks and damages the enamel.

Oral Health and your heart

According to Cleavland Clinical, the three most popular disorders that can be associated with poor oral health are stroke, clogged arteries, and coronary artery disease.

Stroke
A stroke is when when blood supply is blocked to the brain.

Clogged arteries
A clogged artery is the result of fat and other substances building up inside the arteries.

Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is when the arteries are unable to properly supply enough blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart.

Your overall health

While it’s important to note the correlation between heart problems and poor oral care, we can’t say that one causes the other. The best thing you can do is take care of your body. As more research is done, we see that the body should be treated as a whole, not individually. The care that you put into one aspect of your body, can affect your overall health. Stay on top of regular visits with your general doctor, and your dentist.