Texas dental care on Connection Between Gum Disease and Heart Health

Dr. Firoz Lalani

Medically Reviewed By Dr. Firoz Lalani

Table of Contents

A healthy heart is the key to a happy and successful life and a healthy smile paves the way to a healthy heart. Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death in people. A lot of research has been conducted to show the link between good health and dental hygiene.

Dental clinics in Houston lay emphasis on Oral health and its link with diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and most importantly, cardiovascular disease.

oral health

Houston dental clinic on Gum Disease and Dental Care

Lack of good dental care leads to gum disease which causes a lot of inflammation. Poor dental hygiene can cause the formation of bacteria which can give rise to gum disease.

Gum diseases can be classified into two kinds. The first is Gingivitis, which is characterized by swollen red gums and the second one is the periodontal disease which affects the bone and tissues around the teeth and is a bacterial infection. The primary cause for both these gum diseases is when plaque which is a sticky residue gets accumulated on the teeth. This plaque allows the formation of bacteria which further leads to dental health problems like gum disease and cavities.

Periodontal disease is believed to be the main cause for enabling the bacteria to go inside the bloodstream which can be the reason for many heart ailments. People with a prevailing heart condition or a previous history of heart attacks are at a greater risk. This is why periodontal gum cleaning is significant when it comes to dental care.

Tips for a healthy heart

Having a healthy heart helps in the prevention of heart diseases and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Awareness

Awareness about the various symptoms and causes of gum disease can help in preventing gum diseases and seeking dental help when required.

The various signs of gum disease are foul breath, bad taste, bleeding swollen gums while eating, brushing or flossing, missing or loose teeth which must not be ignored and treated at the earliest.

nutrition

Eating Healthy

Eating healthy is a sure-shot way of preventing gum and heart diseases. Always try to include fruits and vegetables in as many colors as you can, carbohydrates, lean meat, and foods that provide all the nutrients that are required by the body.

Try to refrain from excessive sugar, carbonated drinks, and sticky food.

Fitness Regime

Following a regular fitness regime helps in staying fit and healthy and lets you maintain a fit and healthy body. A combination of weight lifting and cardio, as well as aerobics, is the best way for exercising and strengthening the lungs, heart, bones, and muscles.

Yoga and meditation help you remain calm and stress-free.

Abstain from smoking

Smoking is the major cause of many people getting heart disease and several other diseases. It is advisable to quit smoking to maintain a healthy heart.

When you quit smoking, you can start seeing the difference immediately. Every cigarette-free day is beneficial for your health.

Managing Stress

Leading a life of stress can be a major cause of increased cholesterol and high blood pressure which are the main triggers for heart disease. It thus becomes very important to keep your stress levels at a low and try to avoid situations that can cause a great amount of stress.

There are many techniques to combat stress such as taking deep breaths, sipping of water, laughing, visualization, going for a short walk, and more.

Regular Dental Care

Following a regular dental routine will ensure good oral health and help in preventing heart diseases. It is very important to brush your teeth twice a day, flossing, and using a mouth wash after every meal.

Taking good care of your teeth will help in ensuring healthy and strong teeth.

Dental Visits

It is always advisable to pay a visit to your Houston dentist twice a year in the least and get a thorough dental checkup done. It is also important to apprise your dentist about any heart ailment you may be having or you may be on any medicine.

One should not wait till the symptoms become prominent and the infection starts to get severe as this can lead to greater complications. One should keep a strict vigil on their oral health and immediately consult a dentist in case of any doubt.

Good dental health and oral hygiene are the keys to a healthy heart and body which adds life to years. Following the above tips will help you keep your oral health in check which in turn helps you in keeping your heart healthy.

Good oral health helps you reduce cardiovascular problems like a heart attack than those who do not maintain proper oral hygiene. Studies have shown that people who suffer from gum disease or have had tooth loss are at a higher risk of getting a heart attack and other heart problems.

Thus, make sure you maintain good oral health and regular dental visits to a good dentist in Houston TX.

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