The Key to Your Health Starts with Your Heart and Ends with Your Smile

Your health is often reflected in the mirror that is your body. If you eat a balanced diet and drink enough water, your skin will look hydrated and healthy. If you care about our fitness and exercise on a regular basis, this physical routine will reward you with toned muscles and more stamina.

Your mouth is also an indicator of how healthy you are. It offers clues about certain nutrients you might be lacking and provide a window for doctors to peer through in case there was a general infection somewhere inside your body.

Paying close attention to your gums which anchor your teeth and keep them in place is one way to keep diseases at bay.

Protect Your Pearly Whites

To start with, oral hygiene is very crucial in protecting your pearly whites from cavities. Brushing your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and using dental floss to clean between your teeth once a day are both steps in the right direction.

The toothbrush you use also plays an important role in oral hygiene. Dentists often recommend replacing it with a new one every three or four months. Taking better care of your teeth can save you in more ways than one.

Heart Disease + Gum Disease

According to health experts, there is a very reasonable explanation as to why heart disease and gum disease may be connected. Gum disease occurs due to bacteria and other particles building up on your teeth.

Inflammation or swelling is common in both cases. In addition, health professionals from both fields did extensive research on this connection and came up with a few conclusions:

• Gum disease is a vital risk factor for blood vessel diseases and diseases linked to the arteries (tubes) that supply blood to the brain.


• There was a direct link between blocked arteries in the legs and gum disease.


• After reviewing several published studies, they found that gum disease alone is a risk factor for coronary artery disease.


• The bacteria they found in gum disease were also located in blood vessels that were hardening and becoming more narrow.

Tips for Healthy Gums

• Dental checkups should be done two or more times per year. If your gums begin to bleed, make an appointment right away. If you suffer from gum disease, the dentists will administer antibiotics or deep clean the area.


• Keeping your dentist updated is crucial. Pregnant or menopausal women, as well as diabetic people, should pay extra attention to their oral health. They are more at risk of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).


• Sugary drinks and snacks should be at a minimum.


• According to a recent study, eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruit fiber slowed the progression of gum disease in men who were sixty-five and older.


• Smoking has its negatives when it comes to teeth. It causes sticky deposits to form on the tooth and encourages bacteria to multiply in number. Quitting is the best option.


• Using a mouthwash is very helpful since mouthwashes that contain antibacterial agents will help kill the bacteria in your mouth and keep it smelling fresh.

# Stay updated with our dental articles to learn more about dental health-related tips from our expert dentist.