Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease?

Since February is the month of love, now seems like as good a time as any to talk about your heart. More specifically, how your gums can affect your heart. If you have periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, that puts you more at risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Why is that? A dentist is here to explain the gum-heart connection and what it means for you.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

When you neglect to brush, floss, or attend your regular dental cleanings, plaque builds up on your teeth and around your gum line. Plaque is full of bacteria that can create an infection in the gum tissue if not removed by your dentist. If left untreated, this infection can turn into gum disease, which spirals into other problems besides inflammation. Bacteria attack the structures keeping your teeth anchored in your gums, eventually causing them to fall out. In fact, gum disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss in the United States.

How Is Gum Disease Linked to Your Heart?

You might not think the mouth and the heart would be very connected, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Recent research has suggested that oral bacteria can travel into the bloodstream through the pockets they create in between the teeth and the gums, reaching other areas of the body like the heart.

From there, the bacteria can cause inflammation in the heart’s crucial arteries and blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems like heart attack and stroke. This is especially concerning in individuals who already had other health problems that put them at a greater risk. For this reason, prevention is key when it comes to treating gum disease and saving your heart.

How Can You Prevent Periodontal Disease?

Keeping gum disease at bay is, for the most part, pretty straightforward. Take care of your oral health by brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time. Flossing might actually be more important than brushing, though, when it comes to preventing gum disease. Flossing is the only way to remove built-up plaque from between your teeth that could otherwise cause an infection.

Also, engage in healthy habits like eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and raw vegetables. If you smoke, consider quitting. Tobacco use more than doubles your risk of developing gum disease as well as oral cancer.

Finally, remember to see your dentist at least twice a year for your regular checkups and cleanings. These appointments will allow the dental hygienist to remove plaque. Your dentist can also diagnose early signs of gum disease and get it treated before it wreaks havoc on your heart. And you definitely don’t want that to happen, especially during this month of love!

About the Author

Dr. J. Peter St. Clair has been practicing dentistry in Rowley, MA since 1996. He is a current Faculty Club Member at Spear Education, one of the world’s leading post-graduate dental education facilities. His main goal is to help his patients understand their oral health and come up with a personalized treatment plan for each and every one of them. That includes treatment for gum disease. If you think you may have or be at risk for gum disease, visit Dr. St. Clair’s website.