At Solstice Smiles Dental we take our patients’ health very seriously—not just your oral health but also your overall health. As part of American Heart Month in February, we wanted to highlight the connection between your oral health and your heart health as cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and globally. According to research, people with gum disease are two to three times at risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular event. With these statistics in mind we want to ensure that our patients have healthy teeth and gums.
Cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease (gum disease), have several shared risk factors including:
Smoking
Unhealthy diet—high in sugar and ultra processed foods
Excess weight
It’s important to recognize these risks and use the new year to make conscious choices to reduce these risk factors if you are affected by them—the team at Solstice Smiles Dental can offer you helpful resources to help if you need them.
Gum disease is also connected to heart health because any issues such as inflammation of the gums or bacteria in the mouth infecting the bloodstream can affect your heart. Therefore it’s crucial to understand the symptoms of gum disease so that you can be aware of any early signs and make an appointment straight away with your Petworth dentist.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Inflamed, swollen, or red gums
Sore gums that are painful to touch
Persistent bad breath
A bad taste in your mouth
Loose or moving teeth
Another thing you can do in-between your regular visits to see Dr. Fitz is to set yourself and family up with a good oral hygiene routine where you brush and floss at least twice a day. Investing in your oral health isn’t just about having beautiful looking teeth, it can actually help save your life. Contact our Petworth dental team if you have any questions or would like to make your next appointment with us!