Heart Disease And Your Teeth
Many people assume that dentists are only able to diagnose and treat cavities, gum disease, and other afflictions of the mouth and teeth. But the truth is that scientists have known for a long time about the direct link between your oral hygiene and the overall health of a person. This includes a causal relationship between your teeth and heart disease, among other conditions.
While brushing your teeth and flossing won’t prevent you from ever having heart trouble, there’s a lot of evidence that it can help lower your risk. At the same time, maintaining good communication with your dentist and coming in for regular checkups will not only promote a healthy smile, but it can also improve your wellness as a whole.
For Oklahomans who are concerned about their heart health or some other condition, be sure to discuss it with your dentist and see what advice they might have that could help.
What the research says about the link between heart disease and oral hygiene
A growing number of studies in the medical community are looking at the connection between heart disease and oral health. For instance, a significant amount of research has found that heart disease and gum disease, including gum infections, inflammation, or damage to the teeth, are somehow linked.
More recently, a group of researches looked at how behavior and heart disease may be connected (https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease). They surveyed 682 people specifically about their tooth brushing habits, and discovered that after controlling for other factors, those who brushed their teeth fewer than two times per day for less than two minutes were three times as likely to suffer a heart attack, heart failure, or a stroke.
While the study did not look directly at what the cause may have been, it did confirm that those who practiced better oral hygiene were significantly less likely to suffer heart disease. Of course, there’s the possibility that people who are most concerned with keeping their teeth healthy and clean are more likely to take good care in other areas as well.
One theory that might explain the relationship is that gum disease has been attributed to an increased state of inflammation in the body. Inflammation has also been proven to be a leading indicator of heart disease, so anything that can help reduce a person’s inflammation, including oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash, will impact their overall heart health as well.
More links have been found between other contributors to cardiovascular disease, such as blood pressure. Gum disease has been shown to have a negative impact on blood pressure and hypertension as well. In fact, gingivitis can also interfere with a person’s blood pressure medication. Poor dental health can also contribute to problems with the heart valve.
The bottom line is that keeping your mouth and teeth healthy and happy can directly lead to reduced incidents of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
What other conditions are related to unhealthy teeth?
Of course, dentists and doctors have found other areas of overlap as well. Good oral hygiene contributes to a person’s health in a number of different ways that go beyond just heart disease.
For example, research has indicated that there’s a connection between dementia and a lack of proper dental health. Symptoms that are associated with a gradual decline in cognitive function, such as confusion, memory loss, disorganization, or other behavior changes, have been linked to mouth and gum disease.
While part of this behavior is likely a result of the onset of dementia, meaning people became less able to properly care for their teeth, there is data that seems to show that poor oral health is actually a risk factor of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. A study of 5,000 senior citizens found that elderly people who brushed less than once a day were 65% more likely to suffer from dementia. The suspected cause is bacteria from the gums getting into the brain and causing inflammation.
Another condition linked with gingivitis is diabetes. Doctors have found that gum disease, bleeding gums, and loose teeth are all symptoms often found in diabetics. For those who are already diabetic, oral infections can make the condition worse, while also adding to your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Osteoporosis, which is the gradual weakening of a person’s bones, can also be diagnosed by your dentist. This is because, while osteoporosis does not actually affect a person’s teeth, it does impact the jaw and other bones in your mouth and skull. Dentists will often notice receding gum lines and looser teeth and be able to discover a person is suffering from osteoporosis.
Other conditions linked to oral health include eating disorders, insomnia, dry mouth, and more. The bottom line is that your dentists can help people in more ways than just cleaning their teeth and protecting against cavities.
What preventative oral hygiene measures can people take to protect their health?
While there is plenty of research that proves that inadequate dental care can increase the likelihood of a number of health problems, it’s also true that taking good care of your teeth and gums can lower your risk as well. As already pointed out, this is especially true when it comes to bacterial infection from your gums getting into your blood stream, which can adversely impact your heart valves.
Whether you are worried about cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, or another condition, forming good dental habits can help. This includes brushing your teeth frequently, preferably after every meal, but at least twice per day. Other tips include flossing on a daily basis, using mouthwash, and visiting your dentist for cleanings and check ups regularly.
Your Grove, Oklahoma Dental Professional
The entire team at Grand Lake Dental, led by Dr. Karl Jobst, is committed to providing Oklahoma families with the absolute best in dental care. That includes looking for signs of health disease and other ailments with links to poor oral health. With the latest technologies and advanced training, we have the best facilities at your disposal. Our goal is to help all of our patients enjoy both dental and overall health.
Contact us today to speak to one of our dental technicians and schedule an appointment.