Advanced Dental Care is partnering with the American Heart Association this February to celebrate National Heart Month!
All month long we will be bringing awareness of heart health and the link to your oral health. Maintaining good oral health can directly affect your heart health and vice versa. Sometimes we see that if a patient presents with active periodontal disease, they also have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or another heart disease. This is because the body is a system, and every subsystem is interconnected.
One of the main indicators of our oral and overall health is our gums. Regular exams by your dentist and hygienist can help detect abnormalities early on. Periodontal disease, for example, progresses in stages and when caught early can be treated more easily.
When bacteria builds up on teeth and migrates below the gum line, the bacteria can irritate the gums causing early stage periodontal disease. When left untreated by a dental professional, the disease can quickly and easily progress to more advanced stages creating pockets. Pockets above 3mm in depth are cause for concern. Like all dental disorders, the sooner the condition can be treated, the better case for successful recovery.
Bacteria in the mouth can also cause other issues like inflammation and infection. Both conditions can travel through the blood stream and possibly affect heart health. These bacteria can end up in the heart and “attach to fatty deposits in the heart blood vessels. This condition can cause blood clots and may lead to heart attacks,” says the Colgate Company. Research is showing that gum disease is linked to heart disease, although not much is not about the causal relationship.
So how can you prevent Heart and Gum Disease?
Some risk factors of gum and heart disease are not preventable such as age, genetics, or other systemic diseases; however, some risk factors can be avoidable such as smoking/tobacco use, elevated stress levels, certain medications, clenching or grinding your teeth, poor nutrition, and obesity.
What are signs of Gum Disease?
The American Academy of Periodontology says that warning signs of gum disease include
- Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
- Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of partial dentures
“Millions of people don’t know they have this serious infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated.”
How do I prevent Gum and Heart Disease?
You can prevent gum and heart disease by maintaining regular exams and check-ups with your dentist. Dr. Jeremy Jorgenson and RDH Lisa Thurm of Advanced Dental Care in Costa Mesa, CA provide comprehensive tooth and gum examinations at every visit. If you have an advanced periodontal condition, 30-year veteran periodontist Dr. Joeseph Yang can treat you right in our office. Regular brushing, with a soft bristle toothbrush, flossing, and mouthwash can help reduce the bacterial load thriving in your mouth.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle including including diet, exercise, and low stress levels can also help prevent gum and heart disease.
How can Advanced Dental Care help you?
We are always happy to see you for your regular check-ups and cleanings, as well as at any other time you may need us! We are spreading awareness of the link between gum disease and heart disease by offering a special on our Laser Gum Therapy service. You can read more about Laser Gum Therapy on our website by clicking here! Laser Gum Therapy is 50% OFF through all of February!
On Friday, February 5th, Dr. Jeremy Jorgenson and the Advanced Dental Care staff with Go Red For Women!
We will also be walking with the American Heart Association on March 5th at Angels Stadium in Anaheim to support National Heart Month! You can join us on March 5th or make a donation by clicking here!
Dr. Jeremy B. Jorgenson is the owner and dentist of Advanced Dental Care located at 3033 Bristol St. Ste. AA, Costa Mesa, CA. For more information on any of the events this February or to make an appointment, please call (714) 424-9099 or visit www.mycostamesadentist.com. Our staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve you!