Many people think that dentists and doctors are completely independent health professionals: one takes care of your teeth and mouth, while the other takes care of the rest of the body. In reality, the various systems of the human body are closely interconnected, and oral health is no exception, making dentists a vital part of your healthcare team.
Oral health and heart health have a particularly close connection, and inflammation is the key to that relationship. When gums are inflamed, the resulting bacteria can move from the mouth into the bloodstream, which can contribute to narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
This, in turn, can force the heart to work harder and raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. More than 46% of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and more than 40% of adults age 30 and older are affected by periodontal (gum) disease.
To help address these issues, the American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative, in collaboration with Delta Dental of California, is encouraging dental teams to take a whole-body perspective with their patients.
Simple steps, such as measuring blood pressure during checkups, can give a more complete picture of a person’s overall health. If a member of your dental care team pulls out a blood pressure monitor at your next appointment, that’s a good sign.
“The mouth is a gateway to the body and can often reveal more about overall health than one imagines,” said Daniel Croley, DMD, director of dentistry at Delta Dental of California and Affiliates.
“Oral health professionals have a great opportunity to become more integrated into their patients’ collective healthcare team, beyond protecting their teeth. By connecting oral health to heart health, this initiative helps dentists identify risks early and guide patients toward care that can improve and even save lives.”
Tips to take into account
Take care of your teeth, gums, and heart at the same time with these tips from the experts at the American Heart Association:
– Follow a brushing and flossing routine
Good dental health starts with a daily routine. If you don’t want to feel embarrassed the next time the dentist asks you about your habits, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to remove plaque-forming bacteria.
Dentists recommend using fluoride toothpaste and brushing your teeth and gums thoroughly but gently, as applying too much pressure can wear down enamel and cause gum recession.
– Follow a healthy diet and limit sugar
Most kids are used to hearing that sugar will damage their teeth, and that’s not just a parental tactic to keep little hands away from the candy jar. Sugar feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth, which produce acid and can cause cavities and gum disease.
To follow a diet that both your heart and your teeth will appreciate, prioritize vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, while limiting added sugars and refined carbohydrates.
– Avoid smoking and the use of tobacco products
The relationship between smoking and oral disease is well documented: smokers face significantly higher risks of developing periodontal disease, losing teeth, or being diagnosed with oral cancer.
Cigarettes are not the only form of tobacco to worry about. Vaping, as well as chewing or sniffing tobacco, can also harm dental health by drying out the mouth and restricting blood flow to the gums.
Since these products are also harmful to heart health, quitting or avoiding them offers numerous benefits worth taking advantage of. Seek support if you need help quitting.
– Contact your healthcare team
Since your body’s systems are connected to each other, it’s helpful to talk to your dentist about your blood pressure and your doctor about your oral health. Start thinking of your dentist as a key member of your integrated healthcare team.
Don’t be afraid to share your medical history, discuss side effects of medications you take, and ask for personalized recommendations to care for your teeth, gums, and overall health.
For more information on how to improve your oral and cardiovascular health, visit Heart.org/OralHealth .
