How Heart Health Connects to Dental Health

senior couple brush their teeth together while camping

It might not seem obvious, but your oral health has a major influence on your overall health — especially your heart health. Let’s take a look at the relationship between your heart health and oral health, and how you can take measures to improve both.

Plaque & Your Body

Plaque is the sticky layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth throughout the day. When plaque isn’t brushed and flossed away twice a day, it collects under the gum line and causes gum disease.

Every time you swallow, plaque and bacteria enter your digestive system and bloodstream. What happens is, over time, these same bacteria can build up on the artery walls of your heart, putting you at risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.

How Your Oral Health Impacts Your Heart Health

The American Heart Association published a 2018 study that concluded that people who take medication for hypertension reap more benefits when they have good oral health as opposed to ones who had gum disease. In other words, by making a conscious effort to curb plaque and bacteria production, you are more likely to not develop heart-related complications and can also better respond to medications targeted at alleviating the symptoms of heart-related complications.

Why Visiting the Dentist Is Good for Your Heart

Apart from twice daily brushing and flossing and enjoying a balanced diet full of healthy foods, you should also visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and examinations. Plaque can build up in hard-to-reach places that only professional dental tools can eliminate, helping improve your overall health.

If you have gum disease, we can help by performing a deep cleaning under the gum line to reduce inflammation and plaque production to protect your smile and body.

Affordable Dental Care at Curtis Family Dentistry

At Curtis Family Dentistry, we take pride in offering treatments that are designed to help improve the health, appearance, and function of our patients’ smiles without breaking the bank. If you are interested in learning more about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to caring for your smile!

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