{"id":254,"date":"2019-05-17T19:45:58","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T19:45:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/?p=254"},"modified":"2019-06-05T19:46:18","modified_gmt":"2019-06-05T19:46:18","slug":"is-there-a-link-between-gum-disease-and-your-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/is-there-a-link-between-gum-disease-and-your-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Your Heart?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Woman<\/a><\/figure><\/div>

Since you were young, you’ve likely been repeatedly told that\nbrushing and flossing are absolutely essential for a healthy mouth. This lesson\nmay be more important than you think; not only is gum disease extremely harmful\nfor your mouth, but some research shows that it might have a connection to serious\ncardiovascular problems. Here’s how an infection in your mouth may affect your\nheart.<\/p>

What is Gum Disease, and What Causes It?<\/h2>

You’re probably aware that bacteria can easily build up in\nyour mouth, creating plaque and tartar. When these bacteria infect the gums, the\nresulting condition is called periodontal disease, or gum disease. The earliest\nstage is gingivitis and can cause redness, swelling, and bleeding. Gingivitis can\nbe reversed\nin its early stages<\/a>, but without treatment it will eventually advance to\nperiodontitis, a severe infection that can lead to tooth loss.<\/p>

How is Gum Disease Connected to Heart Problems?<\/h2>

The American Heart Association has found that people with\ngum disease are roughly 50% more likely to experience heart attacks. Other organizations\nand institutions, such as Harvard Medical School, have found a similar\nconnection with other heart-related problems such as stroke.<\/p>

It’s not clear that gum disease causes heart problems, but\nthere are a few theories on how it may be a contributor. One idea is that the\ninflammation in your gums can cause blood vessels to become hardened, which\nmakes the flow of blood to and from the heart more difficult. <\/p>

Some researchers say that the oral bacteria in infected gums\ncan enter the bloodstream via the mouth. This allows them to cause infections\nin other areas of the body, including the heart. It may also lead to issues\nsuch as blood clots. <\/p>

Still, others believe that the connection may be because gum\ndisease and heart problems often have similar risk factors. Some lifestyle choices,\nsuch as poor diet and smoking, can affect both oral and cardiovascular health;\nadditionally, health conditions such as diabetes can put you at risk for heart\ndisease in addition to making your mouth more vulnerable to an infection.<\/p>

Can I Protect My Heart by Protecting My Gums?<\/h2>

There’s no proof that avoiding gum disease will help you\nprevent heart problems, but protecting your mouth is important for your overall\nhealth. Periodontitis that forms an abscess (a pocket of bacteria-filled pus)\ncan lead to the infection spreading throughout your body. For this reason,\ncontinue seeing your dentist twice a year and brushing multiple times a day;\nyou’ll keep your teeth and gums healthy, and the rest of your body – including your\nheart – may just thank you for it.<\/p>

About the Practice<\/h3>

At Flenniken Family Dentistry, a team of 5 dentists provides comprehensive dental services for families in Carlisle. They employ advanced tools and techniques such as soft tissue lasers and IV sedation to provide comfortable, quality care. Periodontal treatment is available for patients with gingivitis and more advanced gum disease. To schedule an appointment, visit their website<\/a> or call (717) 249-7777. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Since you were young, you\u2019ve likely been repeatedly told that brushing and flossing are absolutely essential for a healthy mouth. This lesson may be more important than you think; not only is gum disease extremely harmful for your mouth, but some research shows that it might have a connection to serious cardiovascular problems. Here\u2019s how an infection in your mouth may affect your heart. (Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nGum Disease in Carlisle | Heart Disease | Flenniken Family Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How can an infection in your gums affect the rest of your body? 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