{"id":81,"date":"2018-07-11T11:53:10","date_gmt":"2018-07-11T11:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/?p=81"},"modified":"2018-07-27T11:57:05","modified_gmt":"2018-07-27T11:57:05","slug":"gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/11\/gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It True That Gum Disease Affects Your Heart? Ask a Dentist!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IllustrationAccording to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. You\u2019re probably already aware of the most common risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and a sedentary lifestyle. But there\u2019s an additional risk factor that might surprise you! Gum disease. In the last 20 years or so, researchers have found overwhelming evidence that the gums and the heart are actually linked. But what is gum disease, how does it affect your heart and what can you do about it? Find out below!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) affects an estimated 50% of the U.S. adult population. It damages the gums and underlying bone that support your teeth and keep them in place. In advanced stages, it\u2019s one of the leading causes of tooth loss.<\/p>\n

Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of gum disease, but other risk factors include genetics, smoking, and diabetes.<\/p>\n

How is Gum Disease Linked To Heart Health?<\/h2>\n

Researchers think that one factor linking the gums and the heart is inflammation. What causes inflammation? Bacteria (which is what plaque and tartar are made of).<\/p>\n

The gums become inflamed when plaque, tartar and bacteria aren\u2019t effectively removed from under the gumline. The result is bleeding, swollen or tender gums.<\/p>\n

The same bacteria under the gums that cause inflammation also enter the bloodstream, where they travel throughout the entire body, including the heart. Once there, they cause inflammation in the heart and can also cause plaque to form in the arteries.<\/p>\n

What Can You Do For Healthy Gums?<\/h2>\n

The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to improve your gum health and reduce your risk for heart disease.<\/p>\n

The first step is to schedule a checkup with a dentist so that your gum health can be evaluated. If you have gum disease, they might recommend the following:<\/p>\n