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Healthy Gums Glad Heart
Author : Donald Feit
Submitted : 2011-11-06 Word Count : 870 Popularity: Not Rated
Tags: periodontal disease, gum disease, heart disease, heart attack, dental health, oral health
It is not surprising that coronary disease and heart attacks are the main cause of death among Americans, causing over 2,400 deaths each day. However, one of the best methods to avoid heart disease begins in your mouth. Reports have shown that a relationship exists between heart disease and periodontal diseases. Gum disease affects around 30% to 50% of Americans, and around five to fifteen percent of adults have serious cases of periodontal disease resulting in tooth loss.
Periodontal disease may put people at risk for heart disease according to studies that have been published in the American Journal of Cardiology (AJC) and Journal of Periodontology (JOP). It's believed that oral bacteria could affect the heart when it enters the blood stream and attaches to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries. This creates a clot which can restrict the free circulation of blood and lessen the quantity of nutrients and oxygen needed for the heart to function normally. This could cause a stroke or other damage to the circulatory system. A second reason that the two diseases are linked is because gum disease increases plaque buildup, which can affect the swelling of arteries and cause stress on the heart.
Research has also found that those with gum disease are nearly twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease. With more than 50 percent of people suffering from periodontal disease, it's not absurd to think it has a direct connection to those who suffer or die from heart disease. These studies caused concern for both dentists and cardiologists for their patients.
Along with existing heart conditions, periodontal disease can exacerbate problems when cleaning. Patients may need antibiotics before dental procedures to help break down the possible bacteria that reach the blood stream. Both dentists and cardiologists can determine if your condition requires the use of antibiotics before dental procedures. This is a simple way to prevent possible problems that could cause heart diseases.
Make sure to contact both a dentist and doctor to find out if you're at risk for heart disease. While periodontal disease is severe on your teeth, heart disease can lead to major health problems for the remainder of your life, or could even be fatal.
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Whether you are simply seeking a general dentist or a specialist such as an orthodontist, it is easy to find a dentist to fix your teeth and give you first-rate counsel on preventative oral hygiene.