{"id":100,"date":"2022-02-17T21:47:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T21:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bricedental.com\/blog\/?p=100"},"modified":"2022-03-18T21:48:19","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T21:48:19","slug":"how-caring-for-your-smile-can-keep-your-heart-healthy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bricedental.com\/blog\/how-caring-for-your-smile-can-keep-your-heart-healthy\/","title":{"rendered":"How Caring for Your Smile Can Keep Your Heart Healthy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It\u2019s officially February, which means Valentine\u2019s Day is probably all that\u2019s on your mind right now. However, this month is special for another reason \u2013 it\u2019s American Heart Month! Believe it or not, one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is by taking proper care of your smile. Although it may not seem obvious, the two are more intertwined than you think. That said, here\u2019s what you should know about the connection between your oral health and your cardiovascular health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Connection Between Your Smile and Your Heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It may surprise you to learn that gum disease<\/a> is what ties the heart to your smile. It\u2019s an infection of the soft oral tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth, affecting nearly half of all adults over the age of 30. If you fail to seek treatment for it, it can lead to complications like gum recession, loose teeth, tooth loss, and even jawbone deterioration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When harmful bacteria pass through the soft tissue, they can enter the bloodstream and attack your immune system, potentially causing inflammation within the blood vessels. As a result, you may experience a heart attack, stroke, or another cardiovascular event due to a blockage formed by a blood clot. Although it\u2019s still unclear what the connection is between gum disease and heart disease, it\u2019s known that a person with gum disease is three times more likely to experience these cardiovascular problems than the average person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Keep Your Heart Healthy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though gum disease is relatively common, you can easily prevent it by taking a few simple precautions. Some of those include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n