Dental health habits for a healthier heart

Heart disease is one of the main causes of death worldwide, we frequently hear about how important having a healthy heart is.

Do you know oral health can affect your heart?

You might be surprised to learn that there is a direct link between your oral health and the condition of your heart. In addition to being necessary for a beautiful smile, maintaining good dental hygiene can be extremely important for maintaining heart health. 

In this blog, we will explore the link between dental health and heart health and discuss some dental habits that can contribute to a healthier heart.

Connection between oral health and heart

The bacteria in gums will enter into your body’s bloodstream and spread all over the body, including your heart, causing inflammation and other problems like endocarditis, atherosclerosis.

You might question how your gums and teeth could possibly affect your heart. The connection between oral and general health holds the key to the solution. Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is brought on by the buildup of germs in your mouth and is a result of poor oral hygiene. Gum disease that is left untreated can worsen and eventually result in tooth loss, infection, and inflammation.

The heart connection enters at this point. It’s possible for gum disease to cause systemic inflammation throughout your body due to the infection and inflammation it causes. Many heart problems, including atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) and an elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes, are known to be influenced by this chronic inflammation.

Additionally, through your gums, oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream where it may travel to your heart and cause additional issues. As a result, maintaining good dental health also involves protecting your heart in addition to your smile.

Dental habits for healthier heart

Let’s see some dental habits to develop your heart’s health: 

• Brushing your teeth regularly: One of the important parts of maintaining oral hygiene is brushing. Brushing your teeth twice a day will help to keep your oral health great. 
• Flossing: Flossing at least once a day will help you keep your teeth away from bacteria and will remove all the food struck between your teeth.
• Change your toothbrush regularly: One should change their toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or sooner when the bristles are frayed.
• Use fluoride toothpastes: Using fluoride toothpaste will strengthen your tooth enamel by protecting the process called demineralization.
• Regular dental checkups: Visit your dentist regularly and keep it clean.Make your check up at least 6 months once.
• Maintain a healthy diet: Healthy intakes like fruits, vegetables, cereals and pulses are advisable. Avoid caffeine drinks and sticky,hard foods that harm your teeth.
• Stay hydrated: Keeping yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water will flush out bacterias and food wastes from your mouth.
• Quit smoking: Smoking will literally affect your dental and cardiovascular health directly, so avoiding it will help you keep your lungs,heart and gum health better.
• Control stress: Stress will lead you to clench and grind your teeth often, which causes pain in gums and jaws. Carry on some ways like yoga,meditation to manage your stress.

Bottom line

Taking care of one can greatly impact the other because your dental and heart health are closely linked. You can ensure a beautiful smile and a healthier heart by establishing good dental practices and scheduling routine dental exams.

So,start prioritizing your dental health today for a brighter smile and a healthier heart tomorrow.