Gum Disease and its Effect on Heart Disease

Many people don’t realize the surprising connection between gum disease and heart disease. Study after study shows that people with poor oral health have two to three times the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular event. Learn about the link between your mouth and your heart so you know how to protect your health.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease develops when sticky, bacteria-laden plaque builds up on the teeth. If not removed, plaque hardens along the gum line into a brown substance called tartar. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums, causing gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. Pockets form between your gums and teeth, which fill with more bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing the problem to gradually worsen. Ongoing inflammation and lack of dental care can lead to periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease.

What Causes Heart Disease?

A completely different kind of plaque consisting of fat and cholesterol can build up in the arteries. Known as atherosclerosis, this plaque buildup is the hallmark of coronary artery disease. The most common causes of atherosclerosis are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity.

What Do Your Gums Have to Do with Your Heart?

Many people with heart disease have healthy gums, and not everyone with gum disease develops heart problems. Still, the connection is undeniable. In fact, both the American Dental Association and the American Heart Association have acknowledged the relationship. Here are some theories as to why gum health may be linked to heart health:

• The body’s immune response to gum disease is to increase inflammation. This sets off a cascade of chronic inflammation throughout the body, a key contributor to plaque buildup and blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke.
• The bacteria associated with gum disease may enter the bloodstream, causing blood vessel swelling and damage to heart valves.
• Gum disease bacteria produce chemicals and substances that make the artery walls stickier and more permeable. As a result, cholesterol particles are more likely to get trapped and create plaque deposits.

Your Gums Affect Other Aspects of Your Health

The connection between gum disease and heart disease is concerning enough, but studies have also linked gum disease with other health conditions. Your risk of developing diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory infections, rheumatoid arthritis, and pregnancy complications increase if you have gum disease.

It’s clear that when your teeth and gums are compromised, the rest of your body may suffer. That’s why it’s so important to brush and floss daily, chew sugarless gum between meals, and reserve dentist visits every six months.

At West County Dental, we can help protect your smile—and the rest of your body—with our general dentistry services. We’ll clean your teeth, check for signs of gum disease, and offer easy-to-understand home care instructions to preserve your oral health between visits. To request a dental visit with our St. Louis dentist, please call us at (314) 488-2921 or contact us online.