Your mouth and your heart may seem to have little in common, but there is actually an intricate relationship between oral health and cardiovascular health. In fact, a number of the symptoms people experience with their oral health can be early warning signs of a heart condition. This is one reason why it’s so important to see your dentist in El Paso regularly, especially if your gums bleed when you brush or floss.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious infection in the gum tissue that, if left untreated, can lead to a whole host of other problems, such as an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular and oral health problems. This connection has been known for quite some time but continues to be researched regularly. Just a year ago, researchers from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the Forsyth Institute published an article in the Journal of Periodontology that described active gum disease as an early warning sign of a heart attack. The reason why leads back to inflammation, and they found that gum inflammation can also cause inflammation in the arteries, which is one of the main risks of a heart attack.
Oral Health Warning Signs
Since gum disease can affect so much more than the mouth alone, it’s important to know what to look out for. Like many health conditions, gum disease is treated more successfully and the risk of heart attack decreases if it’s caught early on. Some ways your oral health can show a potential problem is through these common signs:
Seeing your dentist in El Paso is the best way to monitor your oral health for gum disease and other potentially serious problems. Make sure you get a dental checkup and cleaning at least twice a year.
Protect Your Gums, Lower The Risk
Most cases of gum disease are a result of poor oral hygiene. When we brush and floss our teeth, we’re doing our best to remove as much plaque as possible. However, if we don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque can quickly harden into tartar. Tartar is loaded with bacteria that can creep up into the gum tissue and cause infection. So, the best way to protect your gums against gum disease and your heart against a heart attack is to take great care of your teeth. This means brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and seeing your dentist in El Paso.
If you notice any signs of gum disease, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
He was excellent and pulled my wisdom tooth in less than 2 min. w/o chipping it. The service was good too.
Great dentist experience! While they do take my insurance, unfortunately, they are not part of my network, however, I liked them so much I will continue to see them.
We were very impressed with the helpful and friendly staff at this dental office.
I was very impressed and thankful with the service provided.
I’m 60 years old and I hated to go to the dentist, and put off going for a long time. But let me tell you Dr. Rizk is the best dentist I’ve ever had. I would of gone years ago. A no pain Dr. – thank you!
It seems like everything nowadays is smart. Smartphones, smartwatches, and now, even smart toothbrushes. From tracking how long you brush to making sure you’re using the right pressure, smart toothbrushes promise a high-tech approach to better oral hygiene. But does the added cost of these devices really offset how much... Read More...
During cold and flu season, many of us are searching for ways to stay healthy. One of the best strategies that may surprise you is maintaining proper oral hygiene! The truth is that your mouth plays a significant role in your overall health, and taking care of your teeth and... Read More...