Love the Gums You're With

Love the Gums You’re With 

It may seem like a hassle to get to the dentist for your continuing care hygiene visit with work and your kid’s afterschool activities but did you know gum disease can increase the risk heart disease?

Patients who have periodontal disease have inflamed gums due to trapped bacteria which is called plaque.  This inflammation is caused by poor dental hygiene, unhealthy diet, and/or smoking.  The unhealthy gums pull back from the tooth and periodontal pockets develop which creates a breeding ground for bacteria.  The pockets can widen enough to even cause loose teeth.     

So what does gum disease and heart disease have in common?   Inflammation!  Don’t be fooled.  The bacteria doesn’t stay in the mouth.  It travels from the diseased gum tissue to your bloodstream throughout your body.  Plaque can then build up in the arteries.  This clogging inflames the tissue and reduces blood flow and oxygen flow to the heart. 

There is a number of prevention methods: 

            -Brushing and flossing twice a day.

            -Routine visits to your dental provider.

            -Healthy diet and weight.  A diet rich in antioxidants help decrease any inflammation in the body and fight bacteria.

Keep your heart healthy and visit your dentist!

           

            

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