American Heart Month | Can Good Oral Health Prevent Heart Disease?

February is American Heart Month. It is important to ask ourselves – Can good oral health prevent heart disease?

During this time we would like to take a moment to cover how your oral health is very important to your overall health. Studies have shown gum disease is possibly linked to heart disease. Periodontists and cardiologists have been being researching this for years now, although there is no direct link to the two causing one another, some researchers say that cardiovascular disease may be caused by the inflammation and infection that oral bacteria can cause.

Coincidentally, gum disease and heart disease actually share some of the same risk factors such as age, smoking and diabetes. People with moderate to severe periodontal disease should be informed of the increased risks for heart and blood vessel problems. There are simple daily routines that you can take to prevent gum disease, like:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Floss your teeth daily
• Use a mouthwash daily
• If you smoke, stop smoking
• Visit your dentist regularly

One of the best ways to keep up good oral health is by seeing your dentist regularly for teeth cleaning and check up. If you would like to schedule an appointment contact Graham Farless DDS at 336-282-2868 or visit our website at www.gsodentist.com.