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“A true smile is when the mouth and the heart coordinate with each other”
It’s increasingly common to hear that oral health is vital for overall health. More than 80% of people are living with periodontal or gum disease which often goes undiagnosed. This may be because the persons teeth feel fine so he / she avoids going to the dentist and visits to the physician rarely focus on oral health.
There is now evidence of 2 specific links between oral health and heart disease. First, if you have gum disease in a moderate/ advanced stage you are at greater risk for heart disease than someone with healthy gums and second, your oral health can provide doctors with warning signs for a range of diseases and conditions including those in the heart.
Oral health and heart disease are connected by the spread of bacteria and other germs from your mouth to other parts of your body through the blood stream. When these bacteria reach the heart they can attach themselves to any damaged area and cause inflammation. This can result in illness such as endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart). Other cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and stroke have also been linked to inflammation caused by oral bacteria.
Patients with chronic gum conditions such as gingivitis (inflamamtion of gums) or advanced periodontal disease have the higher risk for heart disease caused by poor oral health particularly if it remains udiagnosed and unmanaged. The bacteria that are associated with gum infection are in the mouth and can enter the blood stream where they attach to the blood vessels and increase your risk to cardiovascular disease. Even if you don’t have noticeable gum inflamamtion, however,inadequate oral hygiene and accumulated plaque puts you at risk for gum disease. The bacteria can also migrate into your blood stream causing elevated C – reactive protein, which is a marker for inflammation in the blood vessels. This can increase your risk of heart diseaseand stroke.
Age, cigarette smoking and type 2 diabetes increase your risk of developing both periodontal disease and cardiovascualar disease.
You may have gum disease even if it’s in its early stage. If:-
To prevent gum disease:-
By being proactive about your oral health, you can protect yourself from developing a connection between oral health and heart disease and keeps your smile healthy, clean and beautiful throughout your life.
Dr. Krinita Motwani
Khar west, Mumbai.
Mbl : 9820280343
Email : drkrinitamotwani@gmail.com
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