When you think about your own risk for heart diseases, many things may come to mind such as fatty foods, lack of exercise, and genetics.
However, there is another possible factor, namely the periodontal diseases. Periodontitis is a bacterial infection of the gum and bone that support your teeth. Recent studies have suggested that people with periodontitis have twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack as those without periodontitis.
How does this happen? In the presence of gum disease, chewing or brushing your teeth allows bacterial toxins to enter the bloodstream and irritate the blood vessel linings. The inflammation caused by periodontitis may also release chemicals into your blood that contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits inside your heart arteries.
Periodontal disease appears to trigger the liver to make certain proteins that inflame arteries and cause blood clots that can lead to heart attacks.
Periodontal diseases can also aggravate certain kinds of existing heart conditions, especially when there has been previous damage to the heart. According to the American Heart Association, patients at risk for a disease called infective endocarditis may need to take antibiotics prior to dental procedures. Your cardiologist will determine if your heart condition requires use of antibiotics prior to dental procedures.
Because a healthy mouth and gums lead to a healthier body, see your dentist, or periodontist for a periodontal evaluation as soon as possible and begin taking care of your oral health today.