{"id":255,"date":"2020-02-04T14:10:32","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T14:10:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northjacksonvillecompletedentistry.com\/blog\/?p=255"},"modified":"2020-03-11T14:12:59","modified_gmt":"2020-03-11T14:12:59","slug":"how-is-gum-disease-related-to-american-heart-association-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northjacksonvillecompletedentistry.com\/blog\/how-is-gum-disease-related-to-american-heart-association-month\/","title":{"rendered":"How Is Gum Disease Related To American Heart Association Month?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Did you know that February is not only American Heart Association Month but also Gum Disease Awareness Month? You may think that\u2019s just a coincidence, but the truth is that your gums and heart are more related than you realize. In fact, it\u2019s thought that people with gum disease (also called periodontal disease) have nearly double<\/em> the chance of developing heart disease, which is just one more good reason to floss each day! Keep reading to learn more about the link between your gums and your heart and how a dentist can help you stay healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Heart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common to think of your mouth as being separate from the rest of your body. After all, the medical and dental fields are completely separate. But the truth is that everything is connected, so oral health issues are bound to have an impact on your general well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the research backs that up, with overwhelming evidence that inflammation in the gums (which is a key factor in gum disease) affects the entire body, including the heart. It\u2019s thought that bacteria account for the link, which is what plaque and tartar are largely made of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These bacteria accumulate under the gumline and cause chronic inflammation that leads to gum disease (symptoms include bleeding, swollen or tender gums, gum recession, persistent bad breath, and even loose teeth in later stages). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since your mouth is highly vascularized (meaning it contains a lot of blood vessels), bacteria under the gums can easily enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the entire body, including the heart. That can lead to both plaque formation in the arteries as well as inflammation, both of which increase the risk for heart disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can a Dentist Improve Your Gums? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think of you and your dentist as a team that works together to maintain your oral health. With regular checkups, they\u2019re able to regularly examine your gums and find problems early on. And while gum disease can\u2019t be cured, it can be managed to keep it from getting worse. Along with good oral hygiene habits at home, you\u2019ll lower your risk of tooth loss and<\/em> heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a dentist sees indications of gum disease, they may recommend the following types of gum therapy:<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n