The Link Between Gum Health and Heart Disease: What Patients Should Know

At Beaches Dentistry in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, we believe that highlighting awareness of oral health issues is a great way to support our local community. Not only do our team members offer state-of-the-art dental care, but we’re also here to deliver up-to-date guidance on all areas of dental health.  

A healthy smile includes great gum health, but the benefits of taking care of your gums extend far beyond oral health. A growing body of research shows that gum health is linked closely to heart health. 

Your gums serve as a barrier between two worlds

The human body contains trillions of microbial cells, a number that boggles the mind. These living organisms inhabit various areas of your body, including your mouth, digestive tract, skin, respiratory tract, and more. 

Each area has a distinct balance of microbes, referred to as a microbiome. A consistent shift of helpful and potentially harmful microorganisms exists in each distinct area. 

Your gum tissue not only helps keep your teeth in position, but also serves as a living barrier between the microorganisms in your mouth and your bloodstream. Maintaining this barrier is important because if certain microorganisms from your mouth make their way into your bloodstream, they can easily travel throughout your body and cause significant harm. 

Inflammation drives vascular damage

In many cases, it isn’t the microorganisms themselves that cause harm, but the way your body reacts to those microorganisms. Specifically, your body responds to a perceived threat by creating inflammation. That involves sending inflammatory cells and cytokines (which add even more inflammatory cells) to the site of perceived danger. 

Inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and skin discoloration. But it can also damage tissues, including the walls of your blood vessels, which is how inflammation can increase your risk of heart problems. 

Reducing your risk of heart issues by improving your oral health 

If you want to avoid heart health problems, you can begin by assessing your current oral health and lifestyle habits and looking for ways to improve them. Here are some specific examples:

• Brush teeth twice daily for two minutes
• Floss daily
• Limit sugar intake and highly processed foods
• Brush or clean your tongue
• Quit smoking, vaping, or using tobacco
• Eat more vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins
• Visit your dentist regularly
• Check your blood pressure regularly

You can also discuss the connection between oral and heart health with your care team to receive personalized guidance. 

Routine dental exams are the best way to keep your gums healthy

Your gum tissue is constantly remodeling and adapting to your overall oral health. You can help keep your gums healthy by following the advice outlined above, but the best way to avoid gum disease is by attending routine dental exams.

These visits give your dentist a chance to check your teeth and gums for signs of decay or disease. They also include a professional cleaning, which removes plaque and tartar from all surfaces of your teeth, including beneath the gumline. 

Coming in every six months or so ensures that your dental team can detect gum health issues in the earliest possible stage, when treatment is often most effective. If you’re overdue for a dental exam, we’re happy to get you in for this much-needed service. Reach out to the Beaches Dentistry team online or by phone today to check open appointment times.