Heart Healthy Lifestyle - Preventing Tooth Decay And Gum Disease
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Can a healthy smile mean a healthy heart? The problems that come with cavities and gum disease may not end with painful treatments and a less than beautiful smile. There is evidence that the health of your mouth can affect the health of your heart and possibly even your ability to fight off cancer. Indeed, people with gum disease have up to twice the chance of having heart disease than those who do not.
The bacteria that cause gum disease might also cause problems with the heart. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the blood stream and reach the heart where they contribute to atherosclerosis. The presence of bacteria also leads to an immune response and subsequent inflammation. Scientists believe that chronic inflammation can damage blood vessels and lead to atherosclerosis.
There may be others reasons for the link between gum disease and heart disease, though. People with diabetes and people who smoke are also much more likely to suffer from gum disease so a link to heart disease in these people may be more about the presence of other major risk factors of heart disease.
Even if gum disease doesn’t cause heart disease directly, taking care of your teeth is still a healthy practice. And minimizing infections, especially chronic infections, will likely give your heart some relief.
Types of Gum Disease
Gingivitis and periodontitis are two forms of gum disease. Gingivitis develops first when teeth and gums are not properly cared for. Bacteria cause red gums that are swollen and bleed easily.
If gingivitis is not reversed through better dental care, periodontitis can develop. Periodontitis is a more severe infection. Bacterial infection spreads to below the gum line. The chronic inflammation that is present in periodontitis harms the gums and even the bones that hold the teeth in place.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Besides proper daily teeth and gum cleaning to remove plaque, there are some lifestyle choices that can help prevent gum disease. Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of developing gum disease. If you are trying to prevent gum disease in order to reduce your chances of developing heart disease, quitting smoking has multiple benefits.
People with diabetes are also more likely to develop gum disease. And a healthy diet that does not compromise your immune system is also important in preventing gum disease.
As you age, it becomes more likely that you will develop gum disease. It’s possible to keep healthy teeth throughout your life but it takes a little more effort for seniors to maintain oral health.
Signs of Gum Disease
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, the signs of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
- Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of partial dentures
Taking steps to prevent gum disease as soon as you notice any signs is important to overall health. If you already have heart disease or are at a high risk of developing heart disease, taking care of oral health is even more important. And remember to talk about any heart problems with your dentist before undergoing dental cleaning or treatment. There may be preventative steps to take such as taking an antibiotic to prevent infections from bacteria entering the blood stream.
Get more information regarding dentures.
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Loading ...Tags: Atherosclerosis, bacteria, blood stream, gum disease, heart disease
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