Does a Healthy Smile Lead to a Healthy Heart?

Studies have shown that a relationship exists between oral and overall health

February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month, in recognition of the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and increasing knowledge about prevention. But did you know that better dental health can improve your heart health?

"Research shows a close link between gum disease and certain systemic health problems such as heart disease. including strokes, heart or cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of people in accordance with the American Heart Association. There are more reasons than ever to maintain good oral health. It helps you maintain good health in general, "said Dr. Chris Haag, a dentist at First Choice Dental.

More and more researchers see the connection between oral health and overall health. mouth may show signs of nutritional deficiencies, general infection and stress. In addition, other serious health problems related to oral health, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. In recent years, scientists have seen a link between gum disease and major illnesses such as heart disease and stroke.

trip for your family dental center can help you understand a lot more than the health of your teeth and gums. The first sign of disease or illness often surfaces in the mouth. Recent studies reveal that oral health and general health should not be viewed as separate entities.

"By staying on track with routine dental care, and keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy. In this way you can avoid the risk of gum disease and other oral health problems that affect overall health, " explains Dr. Haag.

Someone with cardiac-related or heart-related health problems May actually need to visit their family dental center more often than every six months. Dentists will usually recommend that for those with certain systemic health issues, dental hygiene visits and routine dental exams should occur every 3-4 months. Maintaining good oral health, patients can avoid gum disease that can worsen other health problems.

If my teeth and gums do not hurt, I need a dentist?

Although studies have shown a link between a healthy smile and healthy, many Americans still do not get to your family dental center often enough. less than two thirds of adults report that he visited a dentist in the past 12 months. Many people look at the oral signs and symptoms to be less important than the pain due to general disease. But the truth is that pain can signal that the problem is already severe. And the fact that you do not have the pain does not necessarily mean there is no problem.

routine dental hygiene visits and examinations every six months or more for those with heart disease or other systemic health problems, can also make dental visits more comfortable, because today's comfort-conscious dental technology make early diagnosis and treatment much less invasive , more convenient and often cheaper than what patients may need, if any problems go undetected.

There are some preventive measures that can be taken to your smile and your body healthy, too. Frequent brushing and flossing are important to your overall health. Flossing not only helps reduce plaque build-up and keep your teeth and gums healthy. It removes food that might aggravate the bacteria and infection.
Take care of your smile and your health

During the past 50 years, we have seen the meaning of oral health change from a limited focus on the teeth and gums to a wider recognition that the mouth is the epicenter of the vital tissues and functions that are critical for overall health and wellbeing for life.

It's time that more and more people began to see the need to take care of their smile as a critical part of total health care and welfare. Our smile is actually a mirror of our whole body and can act as an early warning system for our overall health status.

February is the perfect month to start, including a trip to your dentist as a way to help make sure that both your smile, your heart, stay healthy!