{"id":648,"date":"2018-02-07T18:03:27","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T18:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drgsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=648"},"modified":"2018-02-07T18:03:27","modified_gmt":"2018-02-07T18:03:27","slug":"link-between-heart-health-gum-disease-dentist-in-medford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drgsmiles.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/07\/link-between-heart-health-gum-disease-dentist-in-medford\/","title":{"rendered":"The Link Between Heart Health and Gum Disease from Your Dentist in Medford"},"content":{"rendered":"\"A<\/a>If you visit your doctor regularly, then you understand the importance of taking care of your overall health. Without your health, you can\u2019t do the things you want to with as much confidence. Keeping it in check is a very high priority. However, when it comes to your dental health, you might not have the same dedication.\n\nAccording to your dentist in Medford<\/a>, failing to care for your oral health could have major implications when it comes to the health of other parts of your body. In fact, your gum health can directly influence your heart health; it\u2019s been proven through years of research. Keep reading to learn how.\n\n\n

The Role of Bacteria and Inflammation<\/h2>\nWhen you fail to regularly visit your dentist in Medford or skip brushing and flossing, plaque begins to build up inside your mouth. If enough builds up, bacteria can infect gum tissue and begin breaking down the barrier between your gums and the underlying connective tissue underneath. This allows bacteria that\u2019s normally exclusive to the mouth to travel to other areas of the body via the bloodstream.\n\nNot only does bacteria stick to fatty plaques in the bloodstream and contribute to blockages, it also triggers an inflammatory response in the body. This response, commonly associated with infections, swells blood vessels, causing them to swell and narrow. This reduces blood flow and increases the risk of clots.\n\nJust by having gum disease, your chance of experiencing a heart attack or stroke goes up significantly.\n

The Signs of Periodontal Disease<\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re wondering if you have early signs of gum disease, you\u2019ll want to look out for blood after brushing, flossing, or eating. You\u2019ll also want to take note if your gums are red, swollen, or tender to the touch. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, other signs of periodontal disease include:\n