KEY INSIGHTS
· Our overall health relies heavily on the health of the mouth (oral cavity), including the gums and teeth. One area of significant consideration is the link between oral health and cardiac health.
· The mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body, and when oral hygiene is not optimised, bacteria can enter the bloodstream via inflamed gums and travel to the heart and blood vessels.
· Optimising oral health and wellbeing through proper dental care and visiting a dentist who uses high-quality materials (like premium Perth dental supplies) is essential to preventing heart and blood vessel disease.
The body’s various systems can have remarkable impacts on each other, and the associations between some of these can be unexpected.
Our overall well-being relies heavily on the health of the mouth (oral cavity), including the gums and teeth. One area of significant consideration is the link between the mouth and cardiac health.
When maintaining cardiac (heart) health, we usually consider diet, exercise, and stress management. Rarely does brushing and flossing come to mind, let alone visiting a dentist (e.g. one who uses the best Perth dental supplies), but growing evidence has found that oral health is very closely linked to cardiac health.
Neglecting your mouth might have serious consequences for your heart and blood vessels.
The Mouth-Heart Connection – How Are They Linked?
Your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body; what happens there doesn’t stay there. The mouth is home to millions of bacteria, and when oral hygiene is not optimised, these can enter the bloodstream via inflamed gums or other oral tissues. Once they are in the bloodstream, these bacteria can trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body, including the heart and the arteries (which carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body).
Peridontal Disease…
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gums and other structures teeth-supporting structures. Inflammation of the gums (periodontitis) is caused by bacteria in dental plaque; symptoms include bleeding gums, bad breath (halitosis), gum recession, and, in severe cases, even tooth loss.
Even more concerningly, the same inflammatory processes involved in gum disease can also contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. This is the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup. Inflammation plays a central role in this condition, and scientists believe that the chronic inflammation from oral infections may accelerate this process.
Results of numerous medical studies support a correlation between gum disease and an increased risk of heart problems, including:
- People with gum disease have a 20% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease
- Dental patients with periodontitis are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease
The relationship between periodontal disease and heart disease needs more research to definitively prove a causative link – but we do know that taking care of your mouth is essential to taking care of your heart.
Oral health and heart disease share several risk factors:
· Smoking – a major contributor to both gum disease and heart disease.
· Poor nutrition – a diet high in sugar and low in essential nutrients harms both the gums and the cardiovascular system.
· Diabetes – increases the risk of both periodontal and heart diseases.
· Age – both gum disease and heart disease are more common as we get older.
These shared risk factors can make it difficult to isolate how much oral health (or lack thereof) actually contributes to heart disease. We do know that maintaining good oral hygiene can certainly help mitigate one potential source of systemic inflammation.
Know The Warning Signs!
Poor oral health often gives warning signs that should not be ignored. If you experience the following, it’s important to visit a dentist (and even potentially have a checkup with your GP):
· Bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth
· Persistent bad breath
· Tooth sensitivity
· Sore or loose teeth or pain when chewing
· Receding gums
These could indicate gum disease; if left untreated, it can result in tooth loss and increase your risk for cardiovascular problems.
Protect Both Your Oral and Heart Health
Taking care of your mouth is a crucial, and potentially powerful, step toward protecting your heart.
A few practical tips to help maintain good oral hygiene include:
· Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
· Floss your teeth every night before bed.
· Use an antimicrobial, alcohol-free mouthwash/rinse.
· Visit your dentist regularly (ideally every six months) for teeth cleanings and oral health checkups.
· Avoid smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco.
· Eat a balanced diet that’s low in sugar and high in fresh produce, wholegrains, and lean protein. Drink plenty of water.
· Carefully manage health conditions like diabetes.
If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, it’s important that you let your dentist know. You may ned to take antibiotics before certain dental procedures to help reduce the risk of infection, especially if you have a history of endocarditis or you have an artificial heart valve.
Summing Up…
Oral health is about much more than just having a bright smile or avoiding cavities; it’s a critical component of overall health, including your heart’s health.
What’s good for your mouth is good for your heart! This includes proper daily brushing, flossing, and regular 6-monthly dental visits. Not only will your mouth look, feel, and smell better, but you could reduce your risk of life-threatening heart disease.
