Protect Your Heart by Protecting Your Teeth!
Since you were a child, you’ve heard the same advice from your dentist in Flagstaff- brush your teeth twice a day, morning and night, to keep your teeth in excellent shape. Recently, however, researchers have found that maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine can benefit more than just your teeth. It may surprise you to discover that brushing and flossing daily, as well as visiting our dentist near you at Flagstaff Smiles for professional cleanings and checkups, can protect your heart health!
How Does Brushing Your Teeth Benefit Your Heart?
While we are still learning more about this, researchers believe that brushing benefits heart health because it reduces the number of bacteria that live between the teeth and gums. When you have fewer bacteria in your mouth, there is a lower chance of them getting into your bloodstream and causing damage to your heart. Having a bacterial infection of the gums that gets into your bloodstream can lead to a condition called endocarditis, which is damage to the heart valves. If you have gum disease and don’t seek gum disease treatment in Flagstaff, the condition can lead to serious complications such as heart failure, kidney damage, and stroke.
Additionally, brushing your teeth helps reduce the risk of infections such as periodontitis and tooth decay, which can also lead to inflammation in your body, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
How to Properly Look After Your Oral Health
For optimal oral health, our dentist recommends that you brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes, each time using a fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens your tooth enamel and lowers your risk of cavities and tooth decay. Additionally, you should ensure that you are thoroughly flossing between your teeth and along your gum line at least once a day.
Furthermore, being diligent about sticking to a healthy diet is important not just for your oral health but for your overall health. Bacteria in the mouth thrive off of sugar. Try your best to avoid sugary sweets, beverages, and candy. Make sure your diet is rich in fruits and vegetables for optimal overall health.
You should also book a professional dental cleaning and checkup at Flagstaff Smiles at least once every six months to remove plaque and tartar and check for any oral health conditions. Our dentist can detect early signs of tooth decay and gum disease and provide gum disease treatment near you to protect your oral health.
Speak to Your Doctor About Healthy Habits
While taking care of your teeth and gums significantly increases your chances of having a healthy heart, there are other things you can do to protect your heart health.
To prevent heart disease and complications, you may have to change some of your daily habits, such as how much you exercise and what you eat, on top of maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine.
A cardiologist can help you stay on track when it comes to preventing heart disease, and it is always a good idea to visit a cardiologist if you are nervous about your heart health.
Your health is important. If you feel that your teeth and heart could benefit from a professional dental cleaning and checkup, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Flagstaff Smiles to book your appointment today!