What Does Your Oral Health Have to Do With Heart Disease? By Dr. Daniel Burton, DDS At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Believe it or not, not taking care of oral health – which includes such basics as brushing your teeth, flossing regularly, and getting regular dental check-ups – can lead to problems as serious as heart disease. While dental health may not seem important to some people, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the USA. So taking care of our teeth and gums is actually not just a good idea for maintaining a healthy mouth, strong teeth, and an attractive smile. Good dental hygiene might also help to prevent heart problems.

There are two specific heart conditions, coronary artery disease and endocarditis , for example, that are commonly associated with heart disease. Coronary artery disease causes the blood supply to be blocked by congestion in the arteries. The condition is made worse by inflammation. The same is true of endocarditis, which is another kind of heart disease that attacks the major sections of the heart that act as valves to pump blood into the heart and back out into the rest of the body.

The distinct connection or relationship between dental health and heart health intersects because of bacteria. Harmful kinds of bacteria are the source of countless numbers of diseases, including heart diseases, and this kind of toxic bacteria often starts in the mouth. When our teeth and gums are not healthy, in other words, they become a ripe and fertile ground for bacteria growth. That is why teeth decay and form cavities, and why gums often bleed or get sore and inflamed. Various kinds of bacteria are at work inside the teeth and gums, and if they get too out of control it can cause not just toothaches but serious infection. The infection, in turn, can travel to other parts of the body and spread. In situations where people do not have access to modern antibiotic drugs, for example, a bad tooth can spread into the root of the tooth and then quickly cause a life-threatening infection that spreads into the heart or the brain. Oral health is serious business. And it goes well beyond the teeth themselves to have an important influence over the health of the whole body.

When oral health is neglected, bacteria collected in the mouth can thrive and it eventually gets into the bloodstream. Healthy teeth fight infection, which is why dentists recommend that everyone get a regular checkup about twice a year. Without vigilant oral health practices, infected teeth and gums can breed bacteria that moves through the bloodstream and automatically travels straight to the heart. If colonies of harmful bacteria set up camp inside the heart, then all sorts of dangerous heart conditions can develop.

Let’s face it. Most of us dread going to the dentist and do not enjoy it when we have to get cavities filled or be reminded to floss and brush. But by the same token, everyone would agree that a quick trip to the dentist to get our teeth cleaned and our smile looking sparkly again sounds wonderful compared to the prospect of heart disease. Taking good care of our health is our choice, and prudent dental health can help to ensure overall health and even prevent heart disease.

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