"What happens in your mouth can affect the rest of your body as well," said Dr. Andrew Tran, a pediatric cardiologist and the chair of the scientific writing group.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association highlights the strong connection between our dental health and heart, further updating previous research done in 2012.
"One of the things that we found is that there are a lot of studies that show that if you have worsened gum disease, your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke or peripheral artery disease is a lot higher," said Dr. Tran.
Dr. Tran adds that oral infections in children can lead to unhealthy outcomes when they become adults. Especially if not prevented or treated.
"Gum disease is quite prominent," explained Dr. Tran. "About 40% of adults have some type of gum disease, and there's a really broad spectrum. You can have just a little bit of inflammation, which we call gingivitis. All the way up to severe periodontal disease, where maybe the connection between the gum and your tooth is loose."
Dr. Tran says people with underlying conditions, like high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes, are more at risk. Access to health care and resources also played a role.
"If you have poor oral hygiene or gum disease, what happens is you can have bacteria from your mouth enter the bloodstream," said Dr. Tran. "That can affect blood vessels and later on heart health as well."
That's why it's important to regularly care for your teeth, from flossing to brushing and visiting your dentist. Taking preventive dental action can help keep your heart strong and healthy.
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