{"id":314,"date":"2020-02-07T18:55:48","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T18:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ddsdc.com\/blog\/?p=314"},"modified":"2020-03-17T18:55:57","modified_gmt":"2020-03-17T18:55:57","slug":"unhealthy-gums-heart-disease-dentist-in-friendship-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ddsdc.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/07\/unhealthy-gums-heart-disease-dentist-in-friendship-heights\/","title":{"rendered":"The Connection Between Unhealthy Gums and Heart Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When you think of the month of February, you probably envision hearts, chocolates, and romance. But that isn\u2019t all that February is about. It\u2019s also Heart Health Awareness Month. You might be aware that eating right and exercising are great ways to keep your heart in good shape, but did you know that taking care of your oral health can improve your heart? That\u2019s because people who have gum disease are at a higher risk of developing heart problems. Learn how you can take care of your oral and cardiovascular health from a dentist<\/a> in Friendship Heights.<\/p>\n

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What Is Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n

Gum disease is, more often than not, the result of poor oral hygiene. When you neglect to brush and floss, plaque builds up on your teeth and hardens into a substance called tartar. Tartar is chock full of harmful bacteria that can inflame and infect the gum tissue, which is known as periodontal (gum) disease. What starts out as a minor infection that causes bleeding or red gums can result in your teeth eventually loosening and falling out if you don\u2019t get it treated.<\/p>\n

How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Heart?<\/h2>\n

Although the exact relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular health remains unproven, there are a couple of prevailing theories. One posits that the bacteria present in the mouth set off a chain reaction of inflammation throughout the body, causing important arteries in the heart to narrow.<\/p>\n

Another theory states that bacteria travel into the bloodstream via the pockets they create between the teeth and gums. From there, bacteria can make their way into the heart and wreak havoc.<\/p>\n

How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n

To protect the safety of your heart, it\u2019s important to take good care of your teeth and gums by sticking to the following steps:<\/p>\n