How Can Oral Health Support Heart Health?

Having helped many patients with their oral health care, I have found that many patients aren’t aware of the linkage between dental health and overall health. For instance, did you know that oral health plays a vital role in supporting heart health?official nfl shop jordan 4 with nike air san francisco 49ers jersey real hair wig nfl steelers custom nfl jerseys nfl jersey blonde wig with bangs custom designs sex toys for couples nike air max 90 womens dallas cowboys game authentic nfl jerseys best couples sex toys adidas shoes sale

Keep reading if you’re interested in learning how looking after your teeth helps take care of your heart. Here, we will cover the main advantages good oral care has on heart health and overall well-being!

Why Does Poor Oral Health Affect Heart Health?

Oral health is essential to your heart health and your overall health. Historically, there were no toothbrushes or toothpaste, and the methods people used to clean their teeth usually involved honey, rose water, and other sugar-based substances. The poor oral hygiene of the era wasn’t just destructive to heart health and general health; it was actually one of the leading causes of death.

Though taking care of your teeth can seem like a cosmetic issue, it’s actually essential to your health and well-being. Having yellow teeth and cavities can affect our confidence but also lead to health complications. If our teeth become rotten and worn away, this can cause an open pathway into our bloodstream, leaving us vulnerable to life-threatening infections.

Taking good care of your teeth equips you to prevent infections. The bacteria that enter your bloodstream via the mouth can spread quickly through the body, leading to heart disease.

Benefits Of Oral Health For Heart Health

Knowing how poor oral health can be destructive to heart health, let’s look at some of the benefits of oral health for heart health.

Preventing Heart Disease

If your teeth are decaying or missing, then this could leave your bloodstream vulnerable to infection. Once the bacteria permeate the bloodstream, it can potentially lead to heart disease. Practising hygiene for the mouth and visiting your dentist often can significantly lower your risk of heart disease.

Mitigates The Effects Of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder that causes dysregulation of the body’s insulin production and blood sugar levels. This can affect the heart in many ways, exacerbating heart conditions by making the heart muscles stiffer and causing damage to the blood vessels.

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a condition where plaque and bacteria make their way under the surface of the gums, causing infection. Your body’s response to gum disease can raise blood sugar levels, increasing your risk of developing diabetes.

Taking care of your teeth and gum tissue can lower your risk of gum disease that could cause diabetes and complications for your heart health.

Reduces Risk Of Heart Attacks

Studies have shown that many adults with rotten or missing teeth were more at-risk for coronary events, strokes, heart failure, and heart-related death. The risk of these events was much lower for those who brushed their teeth twice daily, as opposed to those who only brushed once daily. Even still, the risk of coronary events for those who visited their dentist for regular teeth cleanings was significantly lower – even for those who had cavities.

Prevents Inflammation

The presence of gum disease and inflammation in the mouth can lead to inflammation in the arteries. If your arteries are inflamed, this can affect your heart function and worsen your heart health.

How Can You Improve Oral Hygiene To Protect Your Heart Health?

Let’s look at the best ways to improve oral hygiene, prevent gum disease, and promote a healthy heart.

Regular Brushing

You ought to brush your gnashers twice daily for over 2 minutes. Investing in an electric toothbrush is also recommended, as you can get a more thorough clean. You shouldn’t rinse your mouth when you have finished scrubbing your teeth; instead, leave the toothpaste in your mouth so that the fluoride has time to reduce plaque and bacteria on your teeth. The fluoride will also help to brighten your teeth.

Flossing

Your dental hygienist will never forget to remind you of the importance of flossing. You cannot cover the entire surface of the tooth with brushing alone, so you need to use floss to reach the spaces between your teeth. If you have difficulty using string floss, you can use a floss wire brush or floss sticks instead.

Regular Professional Cleaning

Despite brushing your teeth properly and frequently, you may not be able to prevent the buildup of plaque on the teeth completely. This is because your brushing patterns may skip over some parts of the mouth, or parts of your teeth may be difficult to reach. So, you should visit your dentist every six months for regular professional cleaning. Your dentist will give your teeth a deep clean with abrasive toothpaste, eliminating plaque and tartar buildup. The risk of cavities and heart complications is significantly lower for those who visit their dentist for regular teeth cleaning.

Summary

Oral health links strongly to heart health, and you must take excellent care of your teeth to avoid coronary issues. Failing to care for your teeth properly could result in heart disease and increase your risk of coronary events like a heart attack or heart failure. So, get in touch with your local dentist in Bentleigh East today and book your next teeth cleaning appointment.