Oral Hygiene Helps Prevent Heart Diseases

Your oral hygiene may be more than just an indicator of your dental health, as links have been proven between periodontal disease and a heightened risk or cardiovascular disease.

These links have always been suspected but a new study seems to conclusively prove the relationship. The study showed that adults who had lost more than ten teeth were much more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. This happens because bacterial infection affecting the teeth and gums can start a chain reaction of chemicals that causes inflammation throughout the whole body. Inflammation of the arteries causes a narrowing of the arteries, which can be the main cause of a heart attack.

The study followed 711 people over the age of 57 and found that those who had lost teeth due to decay and periodontal infection correlated with those most likely to suffer some form of cardiac disease. The study is particularly shocking because periodontal disease and tooth decay are so preventable with improved oral hygiene. More effective and regular brushing and flossing can reduce the amount of plaque in the mouth and severely cut the risk of infection. This in turn would keep the arteries free form the effects or inflammation helping to keep the heart and other major organs healthy.

Another important aspect of maintaining good standards of oral hygiene is by making regular visits to a dentist for a check up. They can spot and treat the first signs of decay and infection, helping to keep your mouth and heart healthy. For the sake of a few extra minutes cleaning a day you could help to minimise the risk of heart disease, one of the biggest killers in the India.