Don’t put off your next visit to Innovative Dentistry at South Lake Union any longer! Over the years, oral health issues have been increasingly linked to other health concerns, such as heart disease and strokes. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care, both at home and by visiting the dentist.
However, according to an article from ABC News, “The exact mechanism of how gum disease may be linked to heart disease and stroke is unclear.” One idea is that poor oral hygiene can lead to the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria can move from the mouth into the blood stream and build up on blood vessel walls, which can then grow into plaques that clog arteries and cause heart attacks and strokes. The article also states, “Moreover, because these bacteria are foreign to the body, once they infiltrate the bloodstream, blood vessels think they are being attacked and try to kill them, just as they would an infection. This results in inflammation and swelling that narrows blood vessels and prevents adequate blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart.”
A recent study which was presented at the American Heart Association, was less concerned about the details of why gum disease can increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks. Rather, the study focused on whether risk can be reduced by regular visits to the dentist. The article states:
“Dr. Zu-Yin Chen and colleagues at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan followed more than 100,000 patients over a seven-year period, only half of whom had ever had their teeth cleaned.
They found that the participants who had ever had their teeth cleaned had a 24 percent decreased risk of heart attack and a 13 percent lower stroke risk compared to those who had never had a dental cleaning.”
To learn more about this fascinating study, we encourage you to visit the article from ABC News. Additionally, if it has been over 6 months since your last checkup with our office, we encourage to you schedule an appointment!
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