February 10, 2021
Your heart and your smile have a lot in common. You may not realize it, but when one experiences a problem, there’s a chance the other may be in trouble as well. This is why dentists throughout the country are raising awareness of the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene for improved cardiovascular health. As part of Heart Health Month in February, you can learn tips and tricks to keep your smile and one of your body’s most vital organs in optimal shape. Read on to find out what you can to do ensure better whole-body health year-round.
Heart and Oral Health: What’s the Connection?
If you want to better understand the link between your smile and your heart, it’s important that you start with the problem of gum disease in Beverly Hills. Considered to be one of the most serious dental problems seen by dentists each year, millions of Americans are unaware they are living with the symptoms associated with periodontal disease.
When bacteria attack the soft tissue around your teeth, it causes redness, swelling, and bleeding to occur. Not to mention, it can lead to gum pocket formations as well as bone and tooth loss. But it’s not just the mouth that suffers. Should infection and inflammation enter the bloodstream, they can travel throughout the body and create blood clots. Should one or more blood vessels become blocked, you can be at risk for a heart attack or stroke, hence the possibility of cardiovascular disease.
What You Can Do to Ensure Optimal Oral and Heart Health
If you want to take better care of yourself this year, make sure to devote the proper time to care for your teeth and gums as well as your whole-body health. A few things you can do include:
- Keep your regular dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist. If you discover you have any signs associated with gum disease, make sure to inquire about periodontal therapy and do what is necessary to take back control of your gum health.
- Brush, floss, and rinse regularly, being mindful to stick to the two-minute rule while brushing.
- Avoid bad habits that can lead to gum recession and an increased risk for gum disease (i.e., smoking, eating ice, using your teeth as tools, brushing too hard, chewing on inanimate objects or hard foods).
- Finding ways to relax and stress less (i.e., meditation, exercising, reading a book, taking a long bath, talking to a counselor).
- Eating healthier foods and limiting your intake of sugars and starches.
Your dentist can provide additional tips to ensure the health and longevity of your smile but don’t be afraid to talk to your medical physician about ways to take better care of your heart. By being proactive, you can ensure your entire body remains in good shape for years to come.
About the Practice
My Dental Office of Beverly Hills is comprised of three expert professionals who believe in whole-body health and wellbeing. Drs. Joel Strom, Sherwin Davidson, and Shulamit Harkavy are committed to providing exceptional preventive, restorative, cosmetic, emergency, and periodontal services designed to repair and restore your smile. Should you discover signs associated with periodontal disease, our team is here to ensure you achieve better gum health while avoiding many of the most common problems that can occur as a result (i.e., heart attack, diabetes, stroke, neurological conditions, etc.). If you need help to improve your smile as well as your heart health, contact us via our website or by calling (310) 277-3451.