February is American Heart Health Month, and that means there has never been a better time to learn about cardiovascular health. You might be confused and wondering what your heart has to do with your teeth, but your oral health actually has a direct connection to the condition of your heart. The great news is, there are plenty of ways you can keep your heart pumping strong by taking care of your teeth and gums. Keep reading to learn what your Flower Mound dentist has to say about the role oral health plays in cardiovascular well-being and how to prevent heart problems through proper oral hygiene.
Oral Health and Your Heart: How They Relate and How to Stay Healthy
There are some people who require transplants, but if you’re like the majority of humans, your heart will be with you for your entire life, so it stands to reason that you want to take good care of it. While you’ve likely heard that getting plenty of exercise and eating a well-rounded diet are good preventers of heart disease, did you know that your oral health also plays a huge role in keeping your heart healthy? Gum disease affects nearly 50% of adults, and it has been proven to promote heart disease and stroke, due to the infection that enters the bloodstream. Fortunately, gum disease is completely preventable, and here are some simple actions you can take to protect your gums from infection and keep your heart safe from disease:
Floss and Brush Daily
Most people would say they brush their teeth daily, but flossing is just as important. The floss removes plaque and bacteria from the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth, and your toothbrush scrubs it away. The two practices work together to keep your gums free of plaque build-up that can cause infection and negatively affect your heart.
See Your Dentist for Regular Checkups
Amidst the busyness of life, it can be easy to put regular dental checkups on the back burner, however, seeing your dentist for regular preventive care is one of the best ways to promote oral health. Your dentist has a trained eye that can catch potential signs that your gums may not look normal or that there could be issues developing. The sooner a problem can be caught, the easier it will be to treat.
Avoid Tobacco Use
When it comes to health issues in general, tobacco is a leading cause of many of them, and oral issues are high up on that list. Compared to non-smokers, tobacco users have twice the risk of developing gum disease, which can lead to heart problems.
Know if You Are at Risk
As with any illness, there are uncontrollable factors that affect your risk level of developing gum disease, such as family health history, age, and upbringing. For example, if a person grew up in an area where the water they were drinking was not very clean or had high fluoride contents, this could affect their gum health over time. Also, as you age, your immune system will be lower, making your body more susceptible to infection and illness.
You have the power now to start taking good care of your gums in order to protect them in the long run. Your heart will thank you for showing your oral health a little extra love!
About the Practice
There’s no one quite like Dr. Rodger Song when it comes to receiving the highest caliber of dental care. His priority is to ensure each and every one of his patients feel comfortable and at home at his office. He believes that equipping himself with knowledge is the primary way to grow in his skills and serve his patients, and as a result, he has completed over 500 hours of continuing education. Are you ready to schedule your next dental checkup? Request an appointment online or call (972) 906-9797.