When you think about your dental health, you probably think of a smile that looks and feels great. It’s an obvious result of good home hygiene and regular exams and cleanings. Although you may be less aware, your overall health benefits from these practices too.
For example, medical research shows a clear link between the health of your gums and the health of your heart. You can watch this short video from the British Heart Foundation to better understand the connection. February is both Gum Disease Awareness Month and American Heart Month, so it seems like a great time to make you aware of the importance of heathy gums.
Bacteria in your mouth not only cause gum disease, they can get into your bloodstream and travel to other areas of your body. This is especially dangerous in your heart. If bacteria create inflammation, it can cause or worsen coronary disease. Another possible result is endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart’s inner lining.
Fortunately, regular cleanings help prevent gum disease. And regular exams allow us to identify it in its earliest stages when it’s easy to treat. A deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing is often all that’s needed to halt early stage gum disease.
If you notice any signs of gum disease, don’t wait until your next exam. Call Powers Family and Implant Dentistry ASAP to visit our Lyons, IN office. Common symptoms include gums that bleed or feel tender, chronic bad breath, and gums that appear bright red instead of pink.
