Is dental health related to heart diseases?

Is it really true? Can heart diseases be related to your dental health? But how? 

Well, several studies that have been carried out for many years now have certain theories to propose in this regard. Some of them strongly suggest that oral health does have an impact on one’s health and heart conditions, whereas some suggest otherwise. 

What’s the connection between gum infections and heart diseases?

The accumulated plaque and tartar on the teeth due to poor oral health have the ability to infect the gums. Certain gum diseases, such as periodontitis and gingivitis, are pretty serious oral conditions, and if not treated during the early stages could lead to a lot of complications in the future.

Studies carried out on patients showed that individuals with gum diseases stand twice the chances of developing heart diseases than the ones without. The microbes from the infected tissues are transmitted to different parts of the body via the blood vessels and have the ability to inflame and damage the blood vessels. If the gum infection isn’t handled soon, chances run high that the patient would develop blood clots in the vessels and arteries, which could ultimately lead to heart attack and stroke.

Sometimes, the body’s immune response to the microbes being circulated from the infected region set off a reaction that damages the tissues of the body. The blood vessels and the heart also suffer serious damage due to the inflammation caused. This increases the risk of heart diseases in patients.

Is calcium the culprit?

As we all know by now, calcium is one of the main components found in our teeth. It keeps the teeth strong and protects them against cavities. However, calcium is best kept away from the arteries and blood vessels. When the health of your teeth worsens and the calcium starts to dissipate into the bloodstream through the blood vessels in the mouth, it could lead to calcification. This makes them harden and become narrower over time.

Who is at risk?

Patients with severe gum diseases such as advanced periodontitis stand a higher risk. The risk increases gradually over time if the disease remains undiagnosed. Some of the common symptoms to look out for are red and swollen gums, inflammation, bleeding, and release of pus, receding of gums, loosening of teeth from their sockets, etc.

Taking several such studies into consideration, we can agree to the fact that gum-related diseases do have an impact on the heart and directly influence heart diseases and the overall health of a person. The best way to stay clear of them is to maintain optimum oral hygiene, eat healthily and visiting the dentist’s office regularly for routine consultations. This way, we can keep track of your oral health and contain any infections before they become severe.