February is Heart Health Month, and did you know that your oral health offers lots of clues to your overall health? Your oral health is connected to many other health conditions beyond your mouth.

To celebrate and draw awareness to the importance of the health of your heart - we are devoting the months of January and February 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/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 easy steps to keep your heart and mouth healthy!

• Practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once
• In addition, make sure that you see your dentist regularly
• Make sure you tell your dentist about your heart condition if you have one
• Follow any instructions given to you by your dentist
  

Thank you for being our patients!

Dr. Robert Powell