What Is The Connection Between Oral Health And Heart Disease? Know Expert Tips To Prevent

It is a common notion in India that heart diseases are related to bad genes or bad cholesterol. Most people believe that if their forefathers did not suffer from any issue neither will the current generation. However, there are so many environmental factors that affect our health which we cannot even comprehend. Oral health itself is related to 120+ systemic diseases that mean bad hygiene can make people suffer more than what they have bargained for. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Mohender Narula, Chairman, Founder, MyDentalPlan, about the connection between oral health and heart disease and tips to prevent it. 

Connection between oral health and heart disease 

Bacteria in the Infected gums can enter into the bloodstream and cause the arteries to build up plaque and harden. This condition is called atherosclerosis. Normally during chewing or brushing, the bacteria that are present in the gum infection can enter the bloodstream. If they progress to the cardiovascular system triggering Inflammation/swelling (a natural response to infection) it may cause heart blockage and increase the likelihood of developing hypertension (high BP) and eventually lead to a heart attack. 

There is also a possibility of an infection developing on the heart's inner lining called Endocarditis. This infection can be fatal in many situations. Research says that gum disease leads to cardiac diseases two times more, rather more than those who have a higher level of bad cholesterol. These bacteria may also induce the formation of plaque in the body as they do on teeth called arterial plaque. This occurrence may act in narrowing of arteries and/or clogging them entirely, leading to heart attack or stroke. 

Also read: Want Good Oral Health? Add These 4 Steps To Your Routine

Tips to prevent heart disease in connection with oral health

Preventing all this is possible by maintaining good oral health. The first step in this regard is to recognize the importance of oral health in keeping us healthy overall. Here are some tips that one can follow to maintain oral hygiene, to keep away infections and to reduce the risk of heart diseases.

1. Brushing twice a day 

Brushing the teeth two times a day, for two minutes, in the morning and before going to bed at night helps keep a lot of oral issues at bay. Remember using fluoride-based toothpaste is as essential as brushing twice, the presence of fluoride in the toothpaste strengthens the teeth. A soft bristle brush is more effective as it cleans all surfaces better without harming the gums. Using hard bristles or brushing vigorously may cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and eventually loss of teeth. People who complaints of arthritis or have a problem brushing teeth, can use an electric toothbrush.

2. Tongue cleaning 

The bacteria that reside in our mouth are both good and bad kinds, the bad kind may cause bad breath, tooth decay and gum infections and more. Cleaning the tongue keeps a check on the bad bacteria and sweeps away any accumulated food debris and dead cells to avoid causing any further trouble. Clean the tongue from back to front using a tongue cleaner (one can begin by using your toothbrush as well).

3. Flossing 

Flossing in between the teeth and under the gumline is necessary to avoid any plaque build-up. For people who have difficulty getting it in between the teeth, wax floss is recommended. Floss gently, scraping off the plaque along the way, do not use force near the gums. Floss at the back of the teeth as well and use fresh floss while progressing through the teeth.

Also read: How Poor Oral Hygiene Increases The Risk Of Severe COVID-19

4. Antibacterial mouthwash 

Along with brushing, tongue cleaning and flossing one should also remember some other points like using an antibacterial mouthwash that helps reduce plaque. One must not use toothpicks or such objects that are not meant to be used as dental cleaners. Get an oral irrigator that shoots jets of water to clean your teeth if brushing and flossing are not doing the trick. 

5. Visit a dentist 

Visit a dentist every six months for sure, to keep up with the oral and overall health. One must visit a dentist immediately if there is blood, pus or redness. Tender or swollen gums, regularly bad breath, loss of teeth, change in the way upper and lower teeth touch or sensitivity to hold or cold should also be reported at the earliest possible.