Your Dental Health and Its Connection to Your Heart Health

Regular physicals can give you a peek at the state of your health, but many people only visit their doctors once a year or even less often. Did you know that dental checkups can also provide you with plenty of valuable information about the state of your health? Dr. Afar, Los Angeles dentist, recommends that most patients receive routine checkups at least every six months.

Regular dental checkups can catch early indicators of major health problems, including heart disease. Plaque, the sticky film that tends to build up on teeth after snacks and meals, harbors oral bacteria that can enter your blood stream when gums become inflamed. Once these bacteria get inside your body, they can cause inflammation and increase your risk of blood clots and atherosclerosis. In fact, researchers have also linked the bacteria that cause gum disease with such widespread health problems as Alzheimer's, preterm birth and breast cancer.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Many risk factors are uncontrollable, but some, such as gum disease, can be avoided. Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, floss daily to remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas, use an anti-microbial mouth rinse daily and visit our dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and comprehensive checkup. A healthy diet can also help you maintain your gum health and your heart health. Contact Dr. Afar, Los Angeles periodontist, today to learn more or to schedule your next appointment.