Did you know that your oral health can affect health in other places in your body?
One of the most fascinating discoveries in dentistry in recent years is how oral health seems to affect your body's overall health. Links have been found between a wide variety of conditions, even things like diabetes, and now it seems that heart disease is on the list as well.
So if your family has a history of heart problems, that's one more reason to keep your mouth in good shape!
The Link Between Oral Health And Heart Health
There have been several studies over the years showing that people with poor oral health have a higher chance of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems. The most prominent of these studies was published in 2018, looking at more than 65,000 cases around the country. There was an undeniable association between the two.
However, that only led to a bigger question: why?
At present, science is still looking into that part. After all, association doesn't necessarily mean causation. Studies are ongoing, trying to pin down why oral disease and heart disease seem to be linked. There are a few popular theories being pursued.
1 - Oral disease can easily get into the bloodstream.
This is one of the most common ideas, since it's already known to be true. There's a lot of bloodflow around your mouth, so if an oral disease gets into your blood, it can flow around your body. This would send such diseases straight to the heart, as well as the brain.
There is also some evidence to support this, with oral disease microbes being found in some patients' hearts.
2 - It's one specific bacteria.
One particular oral bacteria, porphyromonas gingivalis, has been found in conjunction with a wide variety of diseases, including problems of the heart, pancreas, and even arthritis. Is this the culprit? Research is ongoing.
3 - It's the immune response.
When your body's immune system kicks in, it typically causes swelling. Untreated oral disease can cause a person's immune system to run for long periods. So, this may be causing inflammation in the heart, leading to cardiovascular problems.
4 - It's another factor.
Or, it's possible there's no direct link between oral disease and heart disease, but rather three or more factors interacting. For example, many smokers have bad teeth and are prone to heart disease. Obesity, poverty, and more have also been considered as complicating factors.
The research is ongoing, but in the meantime, this is just one more reason to stay on top of your oral health. Call Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422for all your oral health needs.