Healthy Mouth, Healthy Heart: Dental Care and Heart Health By Dr. Silvers on August 28, 2015

There can be no doubting that routine general dentistry appointments are essential to your oral health. You may be surprised to learn, however, that visiting the dentist twice a year as recommended by the American Dental Association is also important to maintaining optimal heart health. This is because the health of your mouth and the health of your heart are intimately linked. By taking care of your teeth and gums, you are helping to ensure that your heart remains in prime working condition.

At Silvers Family Dental Care, it is the privilege of our family to provide exceptional dental care to all the members of your family. We believe that exceptional dental care means treating the entire person, not simply that person’s mouth. To that end, we bear in mind the important relationship between dental care and heart health at our Harrisburg dental practice, strongly encouraging our patients to visit our office at least twice a year for professional cleanings and thorough oral exams. This allows us to diagnose common dental problems such as gum disease in their earliest possible stages, when they are easiest to treat. Not coincidentally, gum disease is one of the dental problems most closely linked with heart problems.

We would welcome the opportunity to be your partners in excellent oral health for a lifetime. Simply schedule your initial appointment with one of our esteemed dentists today.

The Connection between Dental Care and Heart Health

Surely you are familiar with the old saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul. A more practical and apt metaphor would be that the mouth is the doorway to a person’s overall health. Your mouth contains a lot of clues about your overall health, and the state of your mouth exerts tremendous influence over the health of virtually every part of your body.

When it comes to your cardiovascular health, the most fundamental connection between your heart and your mouth exists in your periodontal, or gum, tissues. These soft tissues can provide a glimpse into the health of your heart and other vital organs. Studies have shown that people with heart disease are more likely to suffer from gum disease, especially in its advanced form, periodontitis.

Likewise, people with periodontitis are more likely to experience heart disease or have a heart attack. This is why it is extremely important for people to visit the dentist for twice-yearly professional cleanings and exams. While good brushing and flossing habits will help to rid the mouth of harmful bacteria and plaque, there are areas of the mouth that only dental professionals can reach. Bacteria can hide in these areas, causing the gums to become infected but without producing any clear symptoms at first. Only through routine dental visits can these areas of the mouth be properly cleaned and the early stages of gum disease be stopped in their tracks.

Ultimately, the best way to maintain excellent oral health and heart health is to visit both your dentist and your regular physician routinely.