Oral Health and Heart Disease
Heart Disease, stroke and its relation with oral Health
Oral health can play an important role in your overall health. Neglected oral care and health can affect the body’s response to diseases of the heart and strokes, while healthy gums participate in the protection of the body from different types of bacteria that might invade teeth and oral cavities.
Gum or Periodontal Disease.
Germs that stay on teeth for long periods can develop what is called plaques; plaques buildup can lead to early periodontal diseases and inflammation which is called gingivitis, these are signs of an early gum infection.
If good management was not taken in that period the inflammation will last long and it may invade the tissue adjacent to the gum like bones and structures that hold teeth in place.
What are the signs of gum Inflammation?
There are some signs that might indicate an inflammatory process in the gum which include Painful chewing, increased teeth sensitivity or when the gum is pulled away from the teeth.
These all are signs of gum disease or what is called periodontitis, and the whole body will react to this inflammatory process that is happening in the oral cavity.
Inflammation can cause problems in other parts of the body.
Inflammation is what a normal body react to any offending factor like infection, experts say that the inflamed blood vessels will develop swelling in their walls which leads to a decreased blood flow through these vessels, this reduced blood flow will affect the whole body including the heart and it also will increase blood pressure.
Bacteria and microorganisms might enter the blood circulation through inflamed or diseased gums and these bacteria may also be a part of fatty plaques (which is a buildup of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances) in blood vessels which can lead to:
- A brain stroke which can occur when the plaque travels to the brain cutting off the blood supply to some areas there.
- A heart attack which happens when the plaque occludes a vessel that supplies the heart.
How can you improve your overall health?
Smoking is considered a highly associated factor with periodontal (gum) disease, heart diseases and strokes.
Smoking also weakens the body’s immune system which makes it harder for the body to fight theses infections of the gum.
Smoking also makes the healing process of a damaged gum harder, in addiction to the constriction of blood vessels that is caused by nicotine in tobacco, when these vessels narrow blood pressure goes up.
Undetected or poorly controlled increased blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, strokes and kidney failure.
Smoking cessation, maintaining a good oral health, and controlling blood pressure can help in decreasing the risk of developing heart diseases and brain strokes, and ensure an integrated physical health.
References:
https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/oralhealth/Documents/HeartDiseaseStroke.pdf
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection.
