February is American Heart Month. What an ideal time to focus on your heart, and we don’t mean Valentine’s Day! The biggest part of living healthy comes down to simply making healthy choices. While you cannot control or change certain risk factors such as age and genetics, modest changes to your diet and lifestyle can improve your overall health including lowering your risk for heart disease. Part of that lifestyle change includes regular dental visits!
Did you know….It’s increasingly common to hear that oral health is vital for overall health?
Patients with chronic gum conditions such as gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease have the highest risk for heart disease caused by poor oral health, particularly if it remains undiagnosed and unmanaged. The bacteria that are associated with gum disease can enter the blood stream, where they attach to the blood vessels and increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. This can result in illnesses such as endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart. Other cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis (blocked arteries) and stroke have also been linked to inflammation caused by oral bacteria, according to the American Heart Association.
Hence, by being proactive about your oral health, you can protect yourself from heart disease, and keep your smile healthy and beautiful!
Call us at 678.890.2555 or click here to schedule your dental appointment and make that step towards better oral and heart health.