Attention Wetaskiwin dental patients: brushing twice daily may help reduce your risk of heart disease. Scientists have suspected for years that there is a link between gum disease and heart problems. But a recent study bears this out: people with moderate to advanced gum disease are at a greater risk for heart disease than those with healthy gums.
To quote from a Science Daily article:
“Once the data was adjusted for established cardio risk factors, the researchers found that participants who reported less frequent toothbrushing had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease compared to individuals who brushed their teeth twice a day.”
The Scottish survey is one of many that validates the link between oral health and overall well-being. Simply put: you aren’t healthy unless your gums and teeth are healthy.
Why is this? It appears that oral health and heart disease are linked by the spread of bacteria that starts in the mouth and spreads through the body in the blood. Once they reach the heart, they can attach to any damaged area and cause inflammation. This, in turn, can lead to cardiovascular conditions.
It doesn’t matter if you are a lean-distance runner with a blood pressure of 100 over 60. It doesn’t matter if you are a vegan who has eaten a nutritionally balanced, low-fat diet for the past five years. If you have inflamed gums and cavities, you are at risk for dangerous issues in other areas of the body.
So the takeaway is to brush your teeth twice a day for healthy teeth and gums and see us at Wetaskiwin Family Dental twice a year for cleanings and checkups. dentist in Wetaskiwin provides general and cosmetic dentistry, gum disease treatment, and oral cancer screenings, among other services.