Blog

The Connection Between Heart Disease and Gum Disease

Many people in Leeds may be concerned about keeping their heart healthy, and probably think the best way to do this is to keep fit, eat healthily and maybe visit their doctor at regular intervals. While all these things will undoubtedly help, so will visiting Leeds City Dentalcare at regular intervals for check-ups and professional cleanings.

Clinical Studies into the Link between Heart Disease and Gum Disease

There have been a number of clinical studies into the connection between heart disease and oral health, in particular gum disease. Although the link between the two conditions isn’t yet clear, it is intriguing. It’s been found that people with periodontal disease (the advanced form of gum disease) are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease. This may be due to the fact that gum disease is a bacterial infection. As it progresses it causes the gums to begin pulling away from the teeth, creating open wounds in the mouth.

These provide the perfect entry point for bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream. From there they are able to travel freely around the body, and can attach to the fatty deposits in the blood vessels around the heart, creating fatty plaques. This can increase the risk of blood clots, and therefore the risk of heart attacks. Another theory lies in the body’s own response against bacterial infection which is to create inflammation or swelling. It’s thought that as these bacteria travel through the bloodstream they could trigger this immune response, causing inflammation that may mean the blood cells begin to swell. As they swell the arteries could narrow, increasing the risk of clots developing.

It’s thought that common dental problems including the early signs of gum disease Leeds (gingivitis), missing teeth and cavities could be nearly as good at helping health experts to predict heart disease as checking cholesterol levels.

Protecting Your Heart through Excellent Dental Care

Protecting yourself against periodontal disease could be a valuable tool in helping to lower the risk of developing heart disease. An important part of this is to make sure your daily oral health regime is the very best it can be through twice-daily brushing, and flossing once a day. If you are unsure of whether or not you’re brushing and flossing correctly, then ask Dr David Brown or another dentist Leeds for advice. You’ll also find all our hygienists are more than willing to give you a demonstration on how to brush and floss correctly. Leeds City Dentalcare also recommends that patients visit us every six months or so for check-ups and professional cleanings. Having all the hardened plaque bacteria removed from your teeth will help lessen the risk of any infection and inflammation, keeping your gums in the peak of health.

If you do have any signs of gum disease, or have periodontal disease then it’s well worth taking action to try and clear up this condition or to at least keep it in check. Heart disease is obviously very serious and is not something to be taken lightly. If something as simple as improving your oral health can help lessen the risk of developing this condition than it has to be worthwhile. If you haven’t visited the dentist for a while and would like a regular check-up and cleaning then please give Leeds City Dentalcare a call to arrange an appointment.

---