{"id":135,"date":"2021-02-19T16:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T16:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.primedentistrytx.com\/blog\/?p=135"},"modified":"2025-12-29T19:29:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T19:29:11","slug":"heart-health-month-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.primedentistrytx.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/19\/heart-health-month-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Protecting Your Smile Also Protect Your Heart?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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February is Heart Health Month. On paper, you might not think this is something that really concerns your dentist; after all, don\u2019t they just work with the teeth and gums? In truth, your oral health has a strong connection with your overall health. In particular, an increasing number of studies has shown that gum disease can be linked to heart problems. In this post, you can learn how keeping your smile healthy can potentially be the key to keeping the whole body healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How is Oral Health Linked to Heart Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When plaque and tartar buildup is left alone, it gives harmful oral bacteria a chance to infect the gums. The result is gum disease, a condition characterized by bleeding and inflamed gums. The most severe forms of gum disease can directly lead to tooth loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that people with gum disease tend to be two to three times more likely to suffer from cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke. Direct causation has yet to be proven, but the link is thought to be due to bacteria entering the blood vessels beneath the gum tissue and causing inflammation throughout the body. Heart attacks occur when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked due to a blood clot, which are more likely to occur when there\u2019s widespread inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The link between gum disease and heart problems could also be due to the fact that they share similar risk factors. For example, smoking can directly lead to gum infections as well as heart problems. A lack of exercise or generally poor self-care are also potentially key contributors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Prevent Heart Problems by Preventing Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no evidence to suggest that preventing gum disease will stop heart problems from occurring altogether, but nevertheless good oral health will dramatically decrease the risk of gum disease. You can avoid the plaque buildup that can ultimately lead to a gum infection by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n