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Better Dental Care Can Save Your Heart

Gum Disease Dentist in Boca Raton

Maintaining your oral hygiene is something everyone knows is important, but newer evidence shows that infections and other dental problems in the mouth can cause serious health problems in other areas of the body.

According to a study published by the Journal of Periodontology, people who have periodontitis, or gum disease are more likely to suffer strokes and myocardial infarction. The reason for this is because the infection-causing bacteria that cause dental problems, like gum disease, can enter the blood stream through the mouth, contributing to the risk of heart problems.

Gum Disease

Gum disease occurs when plaque on the teeth is allowed to grow, infecting the gums, making the gums infected. As gums become more infected, they develop pockets around the tooth that are filled with plaque and bacteria. If left untreated, this gum disease can develop into periodontitis, where the jawbone becomes damaged, making teeth loose, or even causing teeth to fall out.

Heart Disease

Heart disease occurs when the arteries become damaged and narrow, inhibiting blood flow. Arteries can narrow as a result of inflammation, restricting the amount of oxygen reaching the heart, and causing the heart to function improperly. Narrow arteries can also increase the chance of blood clots forming, ultimately restricting blood flow to the brain, and causing a stroke.

How They Are Linked

While there is a strong link between heart disease and stroke and the bacteria present in gum disease, there are a couple different ideas as to why the bacteria has an affect on blood flow.

The first hypothesis is that the bacteria enters the blood stream through the mouth and attaches to fatty deposits that have already developed in the arteries, narrowing the arterial wall, and restricting blood flow.

The other hypothesis is that the bacteria enters the bloodstream through the mouth, triggering the body's immune system and causing the arteries to become inflamed, narrowing and restricting blood flow.

Heart disease is a serious health risk, and it claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year. To help keep your risk of heart disease as low as possible, it is important to maintain good dental health. The best ways to maintain dental health are to practice good dental hygiene habits, and to schedule regular check-ups with an experienced gum disease dentist in Boca Raton like Dr. Mogell.

Dr. Mogell will make sure that you are not developing gum disease, and treat any dental problems you may be suffering from. If you live in the Boca Raton, Florida area and would like to make sure gum disease is not threatening your heart, contact Dr. Mogell today to schedule an initial consultation.