Ankeny Dentist Discusses the Oral-Heart Health Connection

Did you know that recent research is connecting your oral health with your heart health? February is National Heart Month, so we’re highlighting this connection between the heart and the mouth. If you want to improve your heart health or if you want to ward off heart disease, keeping your teeth and gums healthy could be beneficial. Your Ankeny dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, explores the connection between heart disease and gum disease.

Gum Disease and Heart Disease: The Connection

Recently, scientists have noted that gum disease patients are at an increased risk for heart disease. This discovery has prompted further research into the connection between the two diseases. Out of this research, two connections are most prominent. First, both diseases involve inflammation. Hardened arteries are the result of an inflammatory process, and the inflammation of the gums in known as gingivitis. The second connection comes down to bacteria. Scientists have discovered that the same bacteria are present in gum disease that are present in heart disease. Thus, protecting your gums may protect your heart.

Protecting Your Gums

Protecting your gums from gum disease means keeping your teeth free from plaque and tartar. Gingivitis typically results from the presence of plaque on teeth near the gum line. To keep teeth free of plaque, follow a consistent homecare regimen of brushing and flossing. Brush twice a day, angling the bristles of the toothbrush down toward the gum line at a 45 degree angle, and floss once a day. Also, be sure to visit your Ankeny dentist, Dr. Peddicord, for regular checkups and cleanings.

Schedule a Visit with Your Ankeny Dentist

Keeping your mouth healthy can have a major impact on your health. Thus, regular, six-month dental visits are vital not only to your oral health but also to your overall health. If you haven’t had a dental visit in the last six months, it’s time for a checkup. Schedule a visit with your Ankeny dentist, Dr. Peddicord, today by calling 515-963-3339. Our 50021 dentist office welcomes patients from Ankeny, Bondurant, Cambridge, Sheldal, Maxwell, Collins, and all surrounding communities.