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Oral Health and Heart Health Surprisingly Linked

Michael Wahl • Jan 07, 2020

Think the only thing suffering from your poor oral hygiene is your mouth? Think again! There is a strong correlation between how well you care for your oral health and your risk of cardiovascular disease. Scientists have not yet uncovered if one causes the other, or they are both symptoms of another root cause. However, there are some very convincing theories to explain how poor oral health can negatively affect heart health. While this may be surprising, let’s look closer at the potential domino effect that starts with poor oral hygiene and ends in a higher risk of heart attack.

The Statistics

  1. In a study conducted by the European Society of Cardiology , tooth brushing three or more times a day was associated with a 10% lower risk of atrial fibrillation and a 12% lower risk of heart failure during 10.5-year follow up.
  2. In another study , participants who said they brushed less than twice a day for less than two minutes had a three-fold increased risk for endothelial dysfunction compared to those who said they brushed at least twice a day for at least two minutes.
  3. A third study found gum disease is linked to higher blood pressure and can disrupt the effectiveness of hypertension drugs.

Poor Oral Health

When you neglect proper oral hygiene routines, bacteria quickly thrive in your mouth. A warm, wet environment is ideal for bacterial growth, making your mouth especially vulnerable to bacterial growth. As quickly as 12 hours after you brush, your mouth can be full of bacteria growth. Especially in the (not visible) gap between your teeth and gums , bacteria grow quickly and have easy access to your bloodstream. As bacteria multiply quickly, they will enter the bloodstream to find new places to grow with more room and food.

Inflammation

As bacteria enter your bloodstream to find a new place to grow, your body’s natural defenses kick in. One main defense is inflammation. Your body begins producing antibodies and proteins to fight the bacterial infection. This is an important emergency function to protect your body. However, if there is a constant bacterial onslaught, your body stays in emergency mode for prolonged periods of time. This leads to a fatigue of your immune system, and strain on your body. Many health complications have been linked to chronic inflammation in the body such as poor heart health, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity and asthma.

Prevention

Stop bacterial infections at the source. Thoroughly clean your mouth twice daily. This includes brushing and flossing, supplementing with water flossing and mouthwash often. If you’re unsure how to properly clean your teeth or have problem areas that never seem to get clean, contact your dental hygienist. If you live near Colorado Springs and are looking for a dentist or dental hygienist, West One Family Dental is accepting new patients. We have a passion for empowering our patients to care for their teeth well. A clean mouth gives you many reasons to smile!

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • 01 Sep, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • 25 Aug, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • 18 Aug, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • 11 Aug, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • 28 Jul, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • 21 Jul, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • 14 Jul, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • 07 Jul, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • 01 Jul, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • 23 Jun, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
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