{"id":152,"date":"2020-02-07T23:10:51","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T23:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/?p=152"},"modified":"2020-03-17T23:11:05","modified_gmt":"2020-03-17T23:11:05","slug":"american-heart-month-gum-disease-awareness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatdentalexpressions.com\/blog\/american-heart-month-gum-disease-awareness\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Keeping Your Gums Healthy Good for Your Heart?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RedIt\u2019s perfect that February is all about love and hearts since it\u2019s dedicated as American Heart Month! Now is a great time to pause making Valentine\u2019s Day dinner plans and buying flowers to reflect on the health of your heart. When you think about taking care of this vital organ, do you think about flossing? A growing body of research suggests that we should. Recent studies show that the health of your gums plays an important role in the health of your heart, which may be why February is also National Gum Disease Awareness Month<\/a>! Read on to learn more about this important connection and how a healthy smile is good for your heart.<\/p>\n

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Understanding Periodontal Disease<\/h2>\n

Periodontal (gum) disease is an incredibly common condition that over 80% of Americans suffer from. The earliest stage is called gingivitis, which is a bacterial infection in the gum tissue. This is typically caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar, which results in swollen, tender, and easily bleeding gums. While these initial symptoms don\u2019t cause any permanent damage and may be easy to overlook, the same cannot be said for the advanced stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis.<\/p>\n

Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in the US. This stage indicates that the bacteria has spread and become much more destructive. It can infect the jawbone and attack the connective tissues that hold your teeth in place, eventually causing them to fall out. Unfortunately, researchers believe that the negative effects of gum disease don\u2019t stop at your smile.<\/p>\n

Linking Gum Disease to Heart Health<\/h2>\n

A number of recent studies indicate that the presence of an oral infection like gum disease can raise a person\u2019s risk of cardiovascular disease by 20%. Although more research is needed, experts suspect two main culprits behind this connection:<\/p>\n