Many people are aware that heart disease is the UK and Ireland’s biggest killer, but did you know that your oral health has a bearing on your heart health?

How is oral health linked to heart disease?

In recent years, numerous studies have linked poor oral health to an increased risk of heart disease and strokes. Bacteria from the mouth can travel to other parts of the body, triggering an immune system response, which cause inflammation; this can disrupt blood flow around the body.

Inflammation is a cause of heart attacks and strokes; heart attacks occur when there is a blockage in blood flow to the heart and strokes are caused by disruption in blood flow to the brain. If blood flow is interrupted or slowed, this means that oxygen is not travelling around the body as it should and the organs are not getting enough oxygen.

A healthy mouth, a healthy heart

Like oral health diseases, many cases of heart disease are preventable and lifestyle changes that improve oral health are often likely to improve general health. Diet plays a very important role in determining how healthy your mouth and body are and many of the foods that contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also harmful for the teeth and gums. Sugary foods like cakes, sweets and biscuits can contribute to decay and gum disease, as well as diabetes and weight-related health problems, including hypertension and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Looking after your mouth helps to reduce the risk of heart disease; studies have found that heart disease is much more common among people who have gum disease, compared to those who have good oral health and keeping your teeth and gums healthy is so simple. At Dublin18 Dental Care near Deansgrange we actively promote good oral hygiene and regular dental visits where we check for oral cancer. We also offer preventative treatments and advice about giving up smoking, dealing with bad breath and eating a healthy diet.

We advise our patients to brush their teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time with fluoride toothpaste, floss and rinse with mouthwash regularly and to see their dentist every 6 months for a routine check-up. Diet is also very important and we urge patients to keep an eye on their sugar consumption and to avoid eating sugary or acidic foods and drinks between meals.