{"id":286,"date":"2019-05-02T15:12:06","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T15:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vanderbrookdds.com\/blog\/?p=286"},"modified":"2019-05-22T15:15:18","modified_gmt":"2019-05-22T15:15:18","slug":"fact-or-fiction-discover-if-gum-disease-is-linked-to-poor-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vanderbrookdds.com\/blog\/fact-or-fiction-discover-if-gum-disease-is-linked-to-poor-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Fact or Fiction: Discover If Gum Disease is Linked to Poor Heart Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It might be a startling statistic, but 70% of adult tooth\nloss can be contributed to gum disease. An even higher percentage (80%) of\nadults don\u2019t even know they have it! If your gums appear red, puffy or tend to\nbleed when you brush or floss, you can officially consider yourself a part of\nthe 20% who know about their gum disease<\/a>. While\nyou may think it\u2019s not a big deal, not only does it affect your oral health,\nbut it can have a serious impact on your overall health, too. Find out just how\nimportant it is to maintain healthy gums and what you can do to prevent gum\ndisease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease, which is also known as periodontal disease, can\nbe caused by a variety of factors including plaque and tartar buildup,\npregnancy, genetics, and even lifestyle habits. Dentists find that most cases\nof gum disease are caused by a plaque buildup around the gum line. Produced by\nbacteria that emits toxins that break down your gums, preventing them from\nbonding to your teeth, the plaque eventually spreads beneath the gum line and\ncreates pockets. When this happens, bacteria grows and begins to destroy your\nteeth and gums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, periodontitis, which is a more advanced stage\nof gum disease, sets in and you begin to experience bone and tooth loss. While\nall of this is happening, the bacteria swirling in your mouth that is causing\nthese oral problems will also begin to take its toll on your overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Gum Disease Cause Problems for My Heart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you know anything about hardened arteries, you know it\ncan cause heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. If you\u2019re wondering why we\u2019re\ndiscussing hardened arteries and gum disease in the same article, here\u2019s why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you develop gum disease, the bacteria in your mouth is\ningested and enters your bloodstream. Combined with inflammation, which occurs\nwhen gum disease develops, the two can cause plaque to build on your arteries,\nmaking them harden. This leads to problems with adequate blood flow to your\nheart, which, in turn, can cause a blockage and ultimately, a heart attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the most serious and severe cases, you can develop endocarditis,\nwhich is an infection of the lining of the heart, and it can be fatal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Prevent Gum Disease from Forming?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first step to preventing gum disease is making sure you\nare practicing good oral habits at home. Second, keep your regular dental\nappointments with your dentist. This will ensure you receive a full examination\nand thorough cleaning twice a year. Other ways to maintain healthy gums\ninclude:<\/p>\n\n\n\n