Schedule a Dental Cleaning – Chicago Loop Dentists
– How Your Oral Health Can Affect Your Heart Health – Part I
When you are brushing and flossing your teeth, you are probably not thinking about your cardiovascular health. However, your risk of developing heart disease may be directly affected by your oral hygiene habits.
Researchers believe that brushing your teeth frequently is associated with a lowered risk of heart failure, heart arrhythmia, and atrial fibrillation. Although many variables affect your chances of developing these diseases, it’s a comfort knowing that the simple habit of brushing your teeth can reduce your risk.
The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published a study with 161,286 participants, all of whom had no history of heart failure or atrial fibrillation before volunteering for the study. Researchers followed up with participants, on average, ten and a half years later to discover that 3% of the participants had developed atrial fibrillation and 4.9% had developed heart failure.
From the results of the study, researchers determined that people who brushed their teeth more than twice a day were 10% less likely to develop atrial fibrillation. They also had a 12% reduced chance of heart failure. These numbers show that oral health may very well be linked to your risk for heart-related conditions.
The Connection Between Brushing and Heart Health
The cardiovascular system is more intricately related to the mouth than you might think. Bacteria – and other microorganisms – are capable of traveling from your mouth into your bloodstream to other areas of your body. Once they reach the heart, they can attach themselves to damaged areas of your vascular system and continue multiplying. This can lead to inflammation and infection.
The American Heart Association believes that cardiovascular conditions, like clogged or damaged blood vessels, can be linked to inflammation caused by bacteria from the mouth. According to cardiologists at the Mayo Clinic, oral bacteria has also been known to cause endocarditis. This is a serious type of infection that affects the inner lining of the heart. Keeping your mouth clean and going to the dentist regularly can help prevent these serious heart conditions.
Learn More From the Specialists at Art of Modern Dentistry
If you’d like to learn more about heart conditions and the tie between oral health and cardiovascular health, check back on our blog for the second part of this series.
To schedule a professional teeth cleaning or other dental service, contact Art of Modern Dentistry. They’re the most experienced dentists in Southport, Chicago, Lakeview, Downtown, and the surrounding areas. Their dental practice offers a wide range of services from routine teeth cleanings to root canals, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency dental services. At Art of Modern Dentistry, you’ll always receive the highest quality dental care.