Correlation Between Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

Your mouth is connected to your heart; treat both with care.

Periodontal disease affects your gums, which can cause tooth loss. Cardiovascular disease is even worse. It can reduce the flow of blood to all your vital organs, and that’s not good for anyone.

Any top Asheville dentist will tell you that if you have signs of periodontal disease, odds are you’ve got other health problems as well. That’s because things like smoking, overeating and poor oral hygiene tend to affect everything from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. And while the evidence isn’t conclusive, recent research reveals that what goes on inside your mouth can impact what goes on in the rest of your body.

Bacteria Floats

Gingivitis, a precursor for periodontal disease, attacks your gums with plaque buildup at and below the gum line. When bacteria on the plaque breaks loose, it can float into your bloodstream, where it attaches itself to your blood vessels. This increases the odds that clots may form. This isn’t science fiction or a nightmare scenario; it can and does happen.

When gum disease forms blood clots, they squeeze the flow of blood through your veins. If the clots reduce the blood flow to your heart enough, they increase your chances of experiencing a heart attack. If that weren’t frightening enough, blood clots also can break loose and cause a stroke! The Academy of General Dentistry has issued reports proving that people with chronic gum disease are at a higher risk of having a heart attack than those without periodontal disease or gingivitis.

In fact, many medical problems have their origins in gum disease. Who would have thought that a top Asheville dentist could help you prevent cardiovascular complications and even help prevent strokes and heart attacks?

Talk to Your Top Asheville Dentist

Tell your dentist if you have a history of heart disease. He can watch for signs of infections, inflammation and oral pain that may exacerbate your heart condition. At the same time, appropriate and timely treatment for a diagnosis of gum disease can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attack.

All the way around, your oral health and your top Asheville dentist play a huge role in your overall health. Now is the time to talk to your dentist about the ramifications of postponing treatment for gum disease. Remember that your heart wants you to go, before you have a major cardiovascular incident.

Watch for Signs

So, to sum up: regular dental checkups serve your overall well-being. Your top Asheville dentist knows the common signs of gum disease, which include:

  • Uncontrollable bad breath
  • Tender, swollen or reddish gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Gums pulling away from your teeth
  • Bleeding gums

Brush twice a day, floss daily and get professional dental cleanings to keep the plaque from building up on your teeth. One without the other two is like putting new clothes on without taking a shower. Eating healthfully and exercising also help. These habits and routines limit your body’s exposure to floating bacteria, keeping you healthy and your mouth happy.