Are your gums putting you at risk of Heart Disease

Are your gums putting you at risk for heart disease?

One study conducted at the University of Minnesota concluded that 85 percent of heart attack patients had suffered from periodontal disease.1

Are you at risk?

The mouth is not only a porthole to the body but it is the body’s best indicator of overall health. The gums (periodontal disease) when inflamed have been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory problems. Researchers believed the bacteria that causes periodontal disease can come loose and move throughout the body due to tasks as common as brushing, flossing or chewing. It was found that the worse the infection a patient has, the more likely the bacterial are to become loose from these tasks and enter the bloodstream.

If the bacteria enters the bloodstream it can travel to your arteries and irritate them just as it affects your gums. This could cause arterial plaque to build up and result in hardening and affect blood flow. This plaque can also come loose and travel to other parts of the body such as the brain.

What you can do to protect yourself?

You can help prevent gum disease by brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis, limiting between meal snacks and visiting your dentist on a regular basis. Your dentist may even give you a special rinse before having a dental procedure to help neutralize any bacteria and maintain a healthy mouth.

Contact Drs. Leff, Weiss and Waldee today to protect your overall health at 954-424-6500.

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