Did you know that brushing your teeth can help prevent heart disease? February is Heart Health Month, and before we head into March, we wanted to remind you to take good care of your heart by taking good care of your teeth!
A recent study by the American Heart Association shows that people who brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes are three times less likely to have or die from a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
Dr. Ann Bolger, a cardiologist and professor of medicine emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco, says “I spend an inordinate amount of time talking to (heart valve patients) about their teeth because we know certain heart valve infections can be associated with poor oral health.” The research study “is a good reminder that the mouth is an important part of a person’s entire health and simple, daily behaviors that improve health are incredibly important.”
So how are dental health and heart disease connected? Your bloodstream carries germs and bacteria from your mouth to the rest of your body. If the bacteria reach your heart, they can attach themselves to any damaged area and cause inflammation. This inflammation can cause heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.
Gum disease may also be linked to:
Osteoporosis: Lower bone density can lead to bone loss in the jaw. your dentist may notice symptoms of tooth loss or gum disease that indicate the early stages of osteoporosis.
Respiratory disease: The American Thoracic Society cautions that bacteria in the teeth and mouth can spread to the lungs and cause pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. Gum disease can also worsen chronic inflammation in lung diseases such as asthma and COPD
Cancer: A Harvard medical school publication notes that people with gum disease may be at increased risk for certain forms of cancer, such as kidney, pancreatic, and blood cancers
Rheumatoid arthritis: Johns Hopkins reports that “a new study lead by Felipe Andrade, M.D., Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University Division of Rheumatology provides new evidence that a bacterium is known to cause chronic inflammatory gum infections also triggers the inflammatory autoimmune response also found in the joints of patients with the chronic, joint-destroying autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA).”
To take care of your heart AND your mouth, follow these simple tips from the American Dental Association:
- Brush teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
- Visit your dentist regularly for oral examinations and professional cleanings.