{"id":246,"date":"2020-03-26T18:16:14","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T18:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/?p=246"},"modified":"2020-04-09T18:16:26","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T18:16:26","slug":"gum-disease-increase-risk-heart-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/26\/gum-disease-increase-risk-heart-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"How Gum Disease Can Increase Your Risk of a Heart Attack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Have you ever spat out a little bit of blood into the sink when brushing or flossing? While some people might think this is normal, it\u2019s actually a serious sign of gum disease. While gum disease is bad enough in and of itself, did you know that it can actually lead to other health consequences? Namely, heart disease. Keep reading as we examine the link between gum disease and an increased risk of a heart attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an oral\ninfection caused by excessive bacterial growth in the mouth. It\u2019s most often\ncaused by bad habits like smoking and neglecting to brush and floss, but some\npeople can be genetically predisposed to developing it. Periodontal disease\nstarts out with mild symptoms like bleeding gums and chronic bad breath, but it\ncan quickly spiral into something much worse. If left untreated, bacteria can\nattack the structures keeping your teeth in place, leading to tooth loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Heart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One theory for this connection blames inflammation. Periodontal disease causes your gums to become inflamed, because inflammation is one of the body\u2019s natural responses to bacterial infection. That inflammation can create a chain reaction of inflammation that spreads throughout the body, eventually settling in the heart. This then narrows important arteries, increasing your risk of cardiovascular problems like heart attack and stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another reason for this connection might lie in the pockets\nbetween your teeth and gums. When you have periodontal disease, bacteria cause\nyour gums to recede, forming gaps through which they can reach your\nbloodstream. From there, they can reach your heart, resulting in serious health\nissues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to save your heart, it\u2019s important that you keep\ngum disease at bay. To do so, keep the following tips in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n