February is American Heart Month, providing the perfect opportunity to think about what you can do to protect your heart. Believe it or not, that includes taking care of your teeth.
When you think about improving your heart health, you probably think about exercising and eating a healthy diet. Getting plenty of sleep, limiting your alcohol consumption, and not smoking may also come to mind.
Oral health is often overlooked as a heart health contributor, but it’s extremely important. Good dental hygiene can lower your risk of problems with your heart health.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Heart Health
What’s the link between your teeth and your heart? Interestingly enough, it starts with germs — and more specifically, with bacteria.
Bacteria make their way into your mouth, lurking on your teeth, gums, and tongue. With good hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth and flossing, you remove most of those germs. No matter how good you are at brushing, though, some of those germs stay behind.
“When gums bleed, it’s not just a dental issue — it can be a sign that bacteria can enter the bloodstream,” said Brittany Patmon, DMD, Lead Dentist at Cempa Dental Clinic. “That’s one reason we encourage patients to take gum health seriously, not just for their teeth, but for their heart as well.”
Regular dental checkups are a great place to start. During checkups, a dental hygienist or dentist can use advanced techniques to remove lingering germs, which hang around as sticky plaque on your teeth.
When they aren’t removed, germs can lead to gum disease, also called periodontal disease. Gum disease is an infection that varies in severity, causing symptoms such as red and swollen gums in early stages and bone loss and loose teeth in later stages.
Germs in the mouth can also travel to other parts of the body, turning into infections and inflammation. When germs end up in the heart, they can trigger inflammation there — what’s known as endocarditis.
Simply having gum disease increases your risk of developing heart problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Teeth…and Your Heart
The good news is that taking care of your oral health can be relatively simple. The most important thing you can do is brush your teeth regularly.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth twice each day for two minutes at a time. Sharpen your toothbrushing skills with these tips:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your tooth enamel.
- Use toothpaste containing fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities.
- Use short strokes to brush all surfaces of the teeth, gums, and tongue.
- Wait at least one hour to brush your teeth after drinking soda or citrus-containing beverages (or eating citrus) since their acidic content briefly softens tooth enamel.
In addition to brushing your teeth regularly, be sure to floss, too. When you brush, you’re removing pieces of food and germs from the surfaces in your mouth, but the toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth.
Gently gliding a strand of dental floss between your teeth can help to clear out the surfaces hidden between your teeth. If you have one, you can also use a water flosser to clean between the teeth using a targeted stream of water.
Pair these daily dental habits with regular visits to see a dental provider. These providers can do a more thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums, and they can identify and treat oral health problems before they lead to heart health challenges.
The Cempa Dental Clinic Is Here for You
If you’re ready to get started but need a dental care provider, you can turn to Cempa Community Care. Through our dental clinic, we offer our community access to dental cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and even minor oral surgery, all provided under the supervision of Brittany Patmon, DMD, our lead dentist.
These services, like all others here at Cempa, are offered at an affordable rate, regardless of income or insurance status. We’re committed to helping those in our community have the healthiest smiles possible — and through that care, also the healthiest hearts.
The Cempa Dental Clinic is located at 1042 E. 3rd Street, Suite 100, in Chattanooga. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 423.203.1568.
