Did you know that losing your teeth could be a sign that you may suffer heart disease in the future? It’s true; a new study has linked fewer teeth to a variety of heart problems, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
NEW RESEARCH REGARDING TOOTH LOSS AND THE HEART
This most recent study was completed by Swedish researchers, and they examined the dental health of nearly 15,900 people with chronic coronary heart disease. Each participant was classified by their remaining number of teeth and the frequency of gum bleeds. The results showed that for every decrease in the number of teeth, levels of an enzyme associated with artery hardening and inflammation increased. Additionally, as the number of teeth dropped, cardiac risk markers like cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood pressure also increased.
PAST RESEARCH SHOWS SIMILARITIES
The findings of this study were aligned with previous research examining dental and heart health. In the past, researchers noted that poor dental hygiene with bleeding gums could allow as many as 700 different bacterial types to enter the blood stream, and this could increase the risk of heart attack regardless of how healthy or unhealthy a person is. Gum disease could also result, and this condition has been linked to chronic health problems like heart disease.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect your mouth and your heart health. Regularly visiting the dentist for treatment and checkups for gum disease could reduce the risk of heart disease. Therefore, it is crucial that people have basic periodontal screenings annually to have a thorough inspection of their gums. While proper brushing and flossing are crucial in order to keep gum disease at bay, these dental exams are extremely important in removing plaque and tartar deposits before they can cause a problem.