{"id":60,"date":"2019-02-12T12:06:05","date_gmt":"2019-02-12T12:06:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kernfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/?p=60"},"modified":"2019-03-06T12:12:32","modified_gmt":"2019-03-06T12:12:32","slug":"dentist-in-grafton-gives-important-information-about-gums-and-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kernfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/dentist-in-grafton-gives-important-information-about-gums-and-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Dentist In Grafton Gives Important Information About Gums and Heart Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Illustration<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When you think about the biggest threat to your teeth, you might think of cavities. But did you know that gum disease is actually the leading cause of tooth loss? And that\u2019s not the only major consequence! People with gum disease also<\/em> have nearly double the chance of developing heart disease as well. February is American Heart Month, which makes it a great time to learn more about the connection between your gums and your heart and how a dentist in Grafton can help you improve the health of both! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Do Your Gums Affect Your Heart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most people are surprised to learn that there\u2019s a link\nbetween their oral health and general health. But, in reality, everything in\nyour body is connected, and many recent studies have found that inflammation of\nthe gums (also called gum or periodontal disease) increases the risk of heart disease.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the root causes of this inflammation is bacteria,\nwhich, in your mouth, is in the form of plaque and tartar. This is a major\nfactor in the development of gum disease, which includes symptoms like\nbleeding, tender, or swollen gums, chronic bad breath, and (in later stages) loose\nteeth or tooth loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once under the gumline this bacteria can be hard to remove,\nso it easily gets into the bloodstream where it travels through the entire body,\nincluding the heart. Once there, inflammation and plaque forms, which hardens\nand narrows the arteries and increases the risk for various types of heart\nproblems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Reduce Your Risk? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, there are some easy ways to either prevent gum\ndisease altogether or  manage it: <\/p>\n\n\n\n