Dental health is not only essential to have those aesthetics and make your teeth look good, but it has a significant impact on your overall health as well. When we talk about health, we usually think of our teeth and gums. However, according to researchers, oral health is linked to heart health as well.
For this reason, it is vital that you take good care of your oral health. In Chicago, you can find many dental services where you can fix your oral health issues and get to know what treatment method is correct for you.
The dentist will do a thorough assessment of your own health to see if there are any underlying issues, and they will also take some images of your teeth to see if everything is in place. Once they’re done doing the examination, they will come up with a treatment plan, which they will discuss extensively with you.
This is done in order to make sure that the patient has an idea of what to expect from the treatment. Contact a dentist in Chicago, IL, and ensure optimal oral health.
How are oral health and heart disease connected?
It has been seen that those who have periodontal disease or gum disease are more susceptible to developing heart disease. Gum disease takes place when you do not take care of your oral hygiene properly.
It results in plaque buildup that causes infection and makes the gums more irritated. The gums can also become more inflamed, and if it is a severe case, the bacteria can even make it to the bloodstream, which again increases the chances of getting heart disease.
How does not maintaining good oral health contribute to heart disease?
Good oral hygiene ensures optimal oral health, but when you are being careless with your oral health, it can result in different issues such as:
- Spread of bacteria:
If your gums are inflamed, it can result in inflammation called systemic inflammation. This may be associated with other conditions that are concerned with the heart.
It may include arteries getting hardened or other heart-associated problems. Inflammation is seen as a major factor that not only contributes to gum diseases but also to heart diseases.
- Endocarditis risk:
If you are someone with a pre-existing heart condition, you are at even greater risk of developing endocarditis. It is basically the infection that takes place in the inner lining of your heart. If gum disease is present or bacteria are present in your mouth, you are more likely to develop this condition.
- Bacterial spread:
If the gums are inflamed, the bacteria can make it to your bloodstream. Once they get there, it is not going to be hard for them to make it to your heart. This can result in infections, and plaque might build up in your arteries as well.
How can you protect your oral health in order to protect your heart?
One way is to keep your teeth and gums healthy; this is going to reduce the risk to a reasonable extent, and you will not be putting your heart at risk:
- Brushing your teeth twice in a day:
It is essential that you brush and floss every day. Brushing is recommended to be done at least twice a day, and flossing once a day.
- Have a balanced diet:
People often fail to recognize the importance of a good diet plan. Try to have a diet that consists of leafy greens and food that is rich in calcium. Lean proteins are also recommended to have a good diet plan.
Protect your health by having good oral health!
The importance of oral health cannot be overlooked by people of any age. You should know that if you do not take care of your oral health, you are going to see an adverse impact on your body and on your internal organs as well. Thus, make sure that you are taking care of your teeth and gums and that you are going for a regular dental checkup.