What is the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease?
The human body is like a lever due to how different mechanisms function autonomously. For this reason, a problem in one body part is usually directly or indirectly related to another. Dental health is an essential facet of overall health. Deterioration in oral health, particularly gum disease, is linked to other problems, which include cardiovascular issues.
Gum disease is the inflammation of gums and is also known as periodontal disease. It usually leads to tissue breakdown of gums, teeth, and jaw bones due to plaque buildup. Also, cardiovascular diseases are a broad collection of diseases related to the heart caused by blockage or narrowing of core blood vessels.
There has been a lot of research conducted by the world’s leading institution on the possibility of a link between gum and cardiovascular disease. One such research conducted in 2014 indicates that gum disease increases the risk factor of cardiovascular disease by 20%. Also, the American Heart Association has acknowledged the existence of a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease.
How is it Possible?
Gum disease arises from an accumulation of plaque on the teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria inhabit the plaque and cause inflammation of the gums. The gums become weakened, and they start bleeding. According to the American Dental Association, the bacteria in the plaque on the gums get their way into the blood vessels and deposit the plaque in major arteries that supply blood to the heart. It could lead to a cardiovascular infection.
Even though there is no direct proof of periodontal disease and heart disease link, there is an indirect link between the two conditions. You can find the type of bacteria found in the plaques that cause gum disease and the plaques found in major arteries that supply blood to the heart. It could lead to cardiovascular disease.
Another scenario is where a patient has heart valve disease. It increases the risk of heart disease, according to specialist cardiologists. The bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream and enter the heart, thus infecting vulnerable heart valves. It’s, therefore, paramount to visit a cardiologist when you have an infection in the bloodstream.
According to another research, once bacteria attack the plaque buildup, the body’s immune system reacts negatively through inflammation. It creates a cascade of vascular damage into the entire body, including the brain and the heart.
Also, since there is no direct link between the two diseases, third factors increase the risk for both conditions. They include smoking, lack of exercise, and poor oral hygiene.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Even though there are minimal links between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, you should prioritize your oral health to remove the minimal risk. Elegance in Dentistry has well-qualified dentists if you need gum disease prevention and treatment. Prevention is straightforward. It entails maintaining oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth twice, flossing the teeth frequently, and using fluoride toothpaste. Also, it would be best if you schedule regular dental cleanings to ensure prevention in the long term too. You should also be familiar with the symptoms of gum disease since they don’t manifest until during advanced stages. Some of the signs to check early on include.
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Reddened, swollen, and tender gums
- Bleeding when brushing your teeth
- Loose teeth
In case you witness these signs, you should visit the dentist immediately. Successfully managing gum disease will automatically minimize the higher risk to your heart. It could be back to normal if you adhere to the dentist’s advice.
Conclusion
Even though there is a minimal connection between periodontal and cardiovascular disease, prevention of gum disease is a positive control of heart disease. Once the plaque buildup, bacteria invade, and from there, they get entry into the bloodstream, where they cause vulnerability to heart diseases.
Also, it’s worth noting that some heart conditions are accelerated when you have gum disease. These conditions include congenital disabilities of the heart, prosthetic valves, damaged heart valves, or heart valve defects. Therefore, it is vital to prevent gum disease; urgent treatment is necessary if it is present. You should maintain proper dental hygiene and be safer from cardiovascular diseases by a small margin.