-Healthy Mouth, Healthy Heart - Gregory S. Liss, DDS
|
Hours: Mo: 8am - 5pmTu: 8am - 5pm We: 8am - 1pm Th: 8am - 5pm Fr: ClosedSa: Closed

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Heart

added on: February 4, 2015
hands holding heart

You know that regular brushing and flossing can help keep your mouth healthy, but did you know that a healthy mouth could also mean a healthy heart? Each February, Americans observe American Heart Month, a time to educate ourselves about the risks associated with heart disease and analyze our own habits. At my dental office in Little Falls, we’d like to do our part and talk about the connection between mouth and heart.

The Connection Between Mouth and Heart

When we talk about the connection between mouth and heart, the first thing that comes to mind is gum disease. Gum disease is a dangerous disease that, if left untreated, can lead to heart concerns. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), gum disease has a direct correlation to an increased risk for heart attacks. What’s more, many whole-body problems tend to show the very first warning signs in the mouth, which makes regular appointments with your dentist in Little Falls even more important.

Know the Signs

Keeping your mouth healthy and gum disease free is important for not only the life of your smile, but for your heart, too. Some of the symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Swollen, red, or tender gums
  • Bleeding while brushing or flossing
  • Consistently bad breath
  • Chronic bad taste in the mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth

Putting Your Heart at Risk

Besides maintaining a healthy mouth, there are additional ways you can decrease your risk of heart disease by changing a few lifestyle factors. Although making any considerable life changes is daunting, it’s important to keep trying. Some habits that put the heart at risk include:

  • Smoking
  • Poor Diet
  • Lack of Exercise

If your lifestyle factors put you at risk for heart disease, or if any of the signs of gum disease sound familiar to you, call my Little Falls dental office right away. Early detection of gum disease not only means a quicker treatment plan, but can also help keep your heart healthy. Don’t put your heart at risk.

Accepting patients from Little Falls, Montclair, Totowa, and nearby towns.