Can dental infection spread to your heart? Well, the answer is Yes. Gum disease and heart disease are connected to each other. Surprised? Find out more below!
Causes & Warning Signs of Gum Disease
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease (periodontitis) is described as swollen gums due to bacterial infection resulting from poor oral hygiene. [1]
Swollen Gums
Gum disease is a serious oral health condition affecting millions worldwide. [2]
It is associated with diabetes, bone loss, and even heart disease. [3]
Dental Disease and Heart Disease: What’s the Relation?
Ever looked up “can gum pain cause a heart attack.” It may sound scary, but here we have explained how gum infection spreads to your heart.
- Untreated hardened plaque (tartar) on the teeth and gums leads to gum disease.
- The bacteria in the tartar produce toxins that irritate the gums, leading to inflammation and bleeding.
- The gum bacteria can enter the bloodstream, invade organs such as the heart, and may block the vessels by forming clots. [5]
- This leads to heart disease or even causes heart failure.
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Contact nowGum Disease and Heart Disease Symptoms
The signs of gum disease are as follows: [6]
- Bleeding gums
- Spacing or mobile teeth
- Puss in the gums
- Bad breadth
Stages of Gum Disease
A heart infection can present itself as:
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Swelling of feet or ankles
Person Showing Symptoms of Heart Disease
Prevention of Gum Disease
Follow these steps to prevent gum disease and protect your heart health.
Brush Your Teeth
Dentists recommend brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
This prevents bacteria buildup in the mouth, thus preventing gum disease.
Floss Regularly
Food and bacteria often get stuck between hard-to-reach spaces, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
Flossing is necessary to get rid of the bacteria between the teeth.
Quit Smoking
"Smoking is injurious to health." It is a major cause of gum and heart disease.
It slows down the gum healing even after treatment. So, quit today!
Professional Cleaning
Gum disease can cause tooth & bone loss and spread the infection to your organs.
Scaling & root planing removes hardened plaque and promotes gum healing.
Antibiotic Treatments
Following a strict antibiotic regime is recommended if you are diagnosed with gum infection.
Treating gum disease early will help prevent bacterial spread to your heart.
Eat Mindfully
If sugars from your food stay in your mouth for a prolonged time, they can react with the bacteria and release toxins.
This leads to tooth decay and gum problems. Try to avoid sugar and processed food.
It is important to practice good oral hygiene and have routine dental checkups.
Your dentist can check for signs of gum disease and provide treatment if necessary.
Conclusion
Gum disease and heart disease are closely linked.
Hence maintaining good oral hygiene is an essential step in preventing them.
Regular dental visits and a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of gum disease.
Prevent infection from spreading to your heart early for a healthy life to follow.
