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Does Oral Hygiene Promote a Healthy Heart?

Good oral hygiene habits can have a positive effect on more than just your mouth and teeth. We are often told the importance of consistent brushing and flossing, but many of us neglect to learn how it can improve the health of your entire body.

What can hurt one area of your body, can easily hurt other areas of your body. One less common connections in our body is the benefit oral hygiene has on your heart health.

Think about all of the different kinds of bacteria found in your mouth at any given time. Although a majority of these bacteria are perfectly normal and won’t cause any harm to your body, there are some bacteria that can prevent your heart and blood vessels from working properly.

The Connection With Heart Health

Patients that experience gum disease -- redness, swollen, receding gums -- or dental plaque art at an increased risk of heart disease, which includes a variety of less-than-desirable heart conditions that affect your heart muscles, valves, and rhythm.

Bad oral bacteria is known to travel through the bloodstream, affecting other parts of the body and damaging the arteries it passes through. This can lead to a wide range of issues, including:

• An increased buildup of cholesterol and other pathogens
• Thin, more vulnerable arterial walls
• Sticky arterial walls that attract more pathogens, including cholesterol
• Buildup in the arteries can block the flow of blood
• Heart attacks and strokes are common with blocked arteries

Knowing that oral hygiene can help prevent damage to your heart is only half the battle. Knowing how to practice oral hygiene properly is the other half.

How to Practice Good Oral Hygiene

There are a variety of habits you can start today that can have a positive effect on your oral hygiene -- which will lead to a healthier heart.

If you’ve been to the dentist before, they’ve probably asked you how often you brush your teeth and whether you use floss or not. These are important questions because they play a major role in keeping your teeth and mouth free of bad bacteria. We suggest brushing your teeth twice per day for at least two minutes, while also flossing once per day. Mouthwash is also very important.

Getting routine check-ups and dental cleanings by your dentist will also play a major role in your oral hygiene. Not only will they be able to give your mouth a deep clean, but they’ll be able to monitor your teeth and catch any issues before they become a bigger problem. This can save you money and headaches down the road, while keeping your body healthy.

Even choosing what you eat and when you eat it can promote healthy oral hygiene. Unprocessed foods, coffee, and soda can all have a negative effect on the cleanliness of your teeth. In addition to that, limiting snacks in-between meals can help keep your teeth cleaner throughout the day.

Now that we understand how brushing your teeth and flossing can affect your heart health, open your mind to all the other wonderful benefits of good oral hygiene. The body is connected in every which way, learning how can set you up for a healthier lifestyle.