A recent study highlighted in the new book Beat the Heart Attack Gene reports that as many as 50 percent of all heart attacks are triggered by an oral infection, including periodontal disease and decayed teeth. How healthy are your teeth? How good is your cardiac health?
A 2012 study focusing on the connection between heart health and oral health gathered some startling facts about the link between how well a person cares for their teeth and how stable their heart health is.
Tell Your Kids and Tell Yourself: Brush and Floss Daily
One of the most important things you can do is excavate food and plaque from between your teeth at least once a day. Never flossing increases a person’s mortality risk by a whopping 30 percent, versus daily flossing.
Skipping tooth brushing at night also increased the risk of death by 20 to 25 percent, compared to scrubbing teeth nightly. You might be tired, but taking two minutes to brush your teeth can have a major impact on your health.
Preventive care happens at home and in the dental office. It’s recommended that every person see their dentist at least twice annually for exams and dental cleanings. Not seeing a dentist in the past year, according to the new release, raised the risk of death by almost 50 percent, compared to getting dental care two or more times a year.
Missing Teeth Can Impact Heart Health
Another alarming finding and a major predictor of early death was missing teeth, even after other risk factors were taken into account. A holistic dentist can delve into the reasons behind the missing teeth – if it’s not from injury or accident, is periodontal disease the cause, or perhaps another serious oral health problem? It’s important to determine the cause of the tooth loss so the source can be addressed. After a solid foundation has again been built for your teeth, cosmetic dentistry repairs – such as dental implants – can provide you with a healthy, strong, and complete smile.
A holistic dentist is concerned about your overall well-being, not just your oral health. Book an appointment today with The DC Dentist to discuss the connection between your heart health and oral health with Dr. Terry Victor.
