Dental health supports heart health

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on cardiovascular health along with your overall wellness.

Medical research continues to show a strong connection between oral health and heart health. Regular dental care may reduce the risk of heart disease, and certainly improves overall health. People with periodontal disease – gum infection and tooth decay – appear to be at a higher risk of having or dying from a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke.

When a person has poor oral hygiene, it can lead to gum disease, known as periodontitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation, bleeding, and infection of the gums. The bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter the bloodstream through the gums. Once these bacteria are in the bloodstream, they can travel to other parts of the body, including the heart.

In the heart, these bacteria can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a key factor in the development of heart disease, as it can lead to restricted blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Moreover, the inflammation caused by these bacteria can also affect the heart directly, potentially leading to conditions like endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart.

Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that chronic inflammation, such as that seen in severe gum disease, is a risk factor for the development of heart disease. Inflammation in the body is known to play a role in the hardening and narrowing of arteries, and the inflammation from periodontal disease may be a contributing factor.

Regular dental care, therefore, plays a crucial role not just in maintaining oral health but also in protecting heart health. (Think you can’t afford to see a dentist? Check out the discounts you can get as a member of a dental savings plan).

A heart-healthy lifestyle

Here’s how to keep your heart strong and healthy:

Get smart about your heart – Knowing the warning signs and best tips for preventing or treating cardiovascular disease can save one’s life. We tend to think that heart attacks are all about a crushing pain in the chest, but that’s not always true. Women, especially, may experience shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. And roughly 1-in-5 incidents are silent heart attacks, causing damage to the heart muscle without recognizable symptoms to the person suffering the attack.

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep – Adults who sleep less than 7 hours each night raise their risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Why? In part, because when you are sleeping, your blood pressure goes down. Having sleep problems means your blood pressure stays higher for a longer period of time. Find out more about sleep and heart health here.

Manage stress – Yes, we’re all struggling with stress overload these days. But try to find ways to manage it, such as yoga, improvements to your sleeping habits, or therapy to help you better manage stress. Your body goes into caveperson mode when you’re stressed out. Your brain prompts your adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol that are useful in helping you to fight the threat or run away from it very quickly. But an overabundance of adrenaline in your system can cause high blood pressure which is (see above) really bad for your heart, headaches, upset stomach, heartburn, sore throats and teeth grinding/clenching which can cause them to crack.

Move your body – Regular exercise not only burns calories and shapes your body, it also protects your heart. How? Like other muscles, your heart becomes stronger with regular physical activity. As your cardiovascular fitness improves, your heart muscle doesn’t have to work as forcefully to pump blood through your body. And don’t forget to make healthy eating choices.

See your dentist – People with periodontal disease – gum infection and tooth decay – appear to be at a higher risk of having or dying from a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Make sure to have a good at-home dental hygiene routine (for starters, that means brushing your teeth for three minutes, with a soft brush, twice a day and flossing). And see your dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months (or more if your dentist says).

Affordable dental care

Dental savings plans are an affordable alternative to traditional dental insurance. Plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care.

While traditional dental insurance can have deductibles, annual spending limits and waiting periods before you qualify for reduced rates, dental savings plans do not. You can use your plan within 72 hours of joining to save on virtually all dental care, from checkups to root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures and more – many plans even include discounts on treatments like dental implants and cosmetic services that insurance rarely pays for. There is a plan for every dental care need and budget.

Want help choosing a plan quickly so you can get the dental care you need right now? Give us a call at 1-833-735-0399 or use our calculator below for a quick look at how much you can save.

*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.