It’s not often that we think about our hearts when someone mentions oral care and hygiene, but it’s true that there might be an indirect link in between the two seemingly different parts of our body.
AHA Denies the Possibility of Poor Oral Hygiene Damaging Cardiac Health
Bad oral health affecting the heart is a phenomenon that a lot of cardiologists, dentists and clinical researchers have been speculating on for decades, but the American Heart Association (AHA) conducted research based on available evidence to conclude in opposition of those claims in 2012.
In spite of the American Heart Association’s conclusion which negated gum disease as a reason for developing heart issues, the study did not take into account the indirect effects of periodontitis in its conclusion.
The Indirect Connection between Periodontitis and Heart Infections
Periodontitis results in an increased population of streptococcus mutans in the mouth, alongside certain strains of lactobacilli. Over time, more of these pathogens begin to enter the heart as they also become fairly common in the blood stream, which is supposed to be sterile in a healthy human being.
As the infected blood continues to move in and out of the heart, chances of the organ or the vascular system being affected is definitely there. If that happens, one or more of the following dangerous cardiac health issues might begin to pop up:
- Infectious endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart’s inner lining
- Atherosclerosis and even a stroke can be deemed as a possibility, if the bacteria causes a clog in one or more of the arteries
How Can You Prevent It?
As deteriorated oral healthcare is not deemed to have a causative connection in between itself and heart disease, we don’t need to take any special precautions. However, treating periodontitis under the guidance of a periodontist and taking measures to ensure cardiovascular health is imperative in maintaining optimal oral and cardiovascular health.
What Can You Do to Prevent Heart Disease?
Those with a family history of heart disease should, in particular, be extra careful, but the following tips apply for everyone in general too:
- Limit salt, sugar, alcohol and saturated fat intake as best as possible
- Use Methyl Care to regulate homocysteine; an amino acid that’s directly related to causing heart disease
- Rely on a diet rich in fibers (fresh fruits, leafy greens, whole grains, etc.)
- Figure out a daily exercise routine that’s ideal for your health condition
- Monitor and manage hypertension and/or diabetic tendencies with precision
- Bust psychological stress actively and get at least seven hours of sleep everyday
Everything within the human body is connected and it doesn’t matter how distant they may seem to be, if any problem in one part of the body becomes bad enough, it will eventually affect other distant areas as well. This is the reason why healthcare routines must be wholesome in order for them to be fully effective and whether it’s an oral health issue or a persistent infection on your skin, it must be taken care of in time.
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