The state of your oral health can offer lots of clues about your overall health. Oral health and overall health are more connected than you may realize. Your oral health is connected to many other health conditions beyond your mouth. Sometimes the first signs of disease show up in your mouth. In other cases, infections in your mouth, such as gum disease, can cause problems in other areas of your body.

February is Heart Health Month!

To celebrate and draw awareness to the importance of the health of your heart - we are devoting the months of February and January to sharing vital information regarding your oral health and heart disease with our patients.

What is the relationship between Oral Health and Heart Disease?

Recent research has suggested a link between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease, or heart disease.

Poor oral health may be a predictor of future or current heart disease

Oral infections may produce inflammation that can be associated with heart disease

People with poor oral health tend to have poor nutrition since they may not have enough teeth to eat a healthy diet, which is essential for preventing heart disease

Individuals with chronic gum disease may be at greater risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke

The more teeth a person has lost, the more likely they are to have gum disease and also carotid artery plaques (indicators of heart disease)

Follow these simple steps to keep your heart and mouth healthy:

1. Practice good oral hygiene - brush twice a day and floss at least once

2. In addition, make sure that you see your dentist regularly

3. Make sure you tell your dentist about your heart condition if you have one

4. Follow any instructions given to you by your dentist or hygienist.

Take good care of your teeth and your oral health - the rest of your body will thank you!