Gum Disease and Your Heart

Like many things in life, there are things that work in tandem in order to produce a smooth-running operation. Whether it is parts of a car or the components within a cell phone, you will often see several parts making up a whole, working system. Unfortunately, if one of those aspects is damaged, it has the potential to throw the entire system out of whack. The same theory can be applied to your smile, especially with your gums. Having beautiful, healthy gums is essential to having a healthy smile, and if your gums are compromised, it can have damaging effects. If you are suffering from gum disease, it has the ability to affect other areas of your body, especially your heart.

Gum disease occurs when harmful bacteria has made its way into the soft tissues of your mouth. If left to its own devices, the bacteria attacking your gums can enter your bloodstream, having a clear shot to your heart. Bacteria found in your mouth can also be found in your arteries, and they can slowly clog them while also decreasing the blood flow to your heart. Your body is built with natural defense mechanisms, and one of them is swelling. The bacteria found in your mouth have the capacity to cause your blood cells to swell, which essentially increases your risk of a blood clot.

Easy ways you can prevent the bacteria in your mouth from causing bodily damage is by taking the time out each day to brush and floss. Though it may seem simple, brushing and flossing are excellent ways to decreasing the amount of bacteria in your smile, making it less likely to enter your blood stream. Keeping this knowledge and tip in mind, you are sure to be on track for better oral and heart health!

If you would like to schedule your appointment with Dr. Shiloh Lindsey, contact our Fort Collins, CO dental office. We are able to take care of all of your general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry needs. We are proud to serve patients from Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, Windsor, Loveland, and the surrounding communities.