{"id":1045,"date":"2022-02-17T18:58:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T18:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drgsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=1045"},"modified":"2022-02-17T18:58:00","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T18:58:00","slug":"gum-disease-how-it-can-harm-your-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drgsmiles.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/17\/gum-disease-how-it-can-harm-your-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"How Gum Disease Can Harm Your Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When it comes to taking care of your heart, eating well, exercising, maintaining a good weight, keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and managing stress are a few ways to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Though it’s a lesser-known way to keep your heart in good condition, having good oral health can also have a significant impact. Read on to learn about how oral health issues, particularly gum disease, can harm your heart and what you can do to prevent it from developing.<\/p>

What Is Gum Disease?<\/h2>

Gingivitis is the first stage of an infection of the gums called gum disease. Though it can generally be avoided with proper oral hygiene, gum disease is incredibly common and affects nearly half of adults aged 30 and older and more than 70% of adults aged 65 and older. Common symptoms include redness, inflammation, tenderness, and bleeding when brushing or flossing. Though it’s easy to treat if caught early on, if it progresses into a more severe infection called periodontitis, this can cause jawbone deterioration, gum recession, loose teeth, and tooth loss.<\/p>

Oral Health & Your Heart<\/h2>

If periodontitis gets bad enough, the infection may spread to other parts of the body and can cause heart complications. In fact, people with gum disease are up to three times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular events. Additionally, chronic inflammation can lead to other heart problems, such as atherosclerosis. This condition makes the arteries harden or thicken, which can also lead to a stroke or heart attack.<\/p>

How to Prevent Gum Disease<\/h2>

Brushing twice and flossing once per day are key to maintaining good oral health, but a few other ways to lower your risk of gum disease include:<\/p>