Gum Disease and Heart Disease
Don’t Put Your Heart at Risk by Leaving Gum Disease Untreated
Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss but it also significantly elevates your risk of heart disease. Heart disease is one of the many systemic links to gum disease and it’s one that, based on research, should be taken very seriously. Gum disease is an active infection in your mouth and it can impact a number of your body’s systems, including the heart. It can raise your risk for a heart attack, for a stroke, can increase the chance of respiratory infections, pregnancy complications, and other health problems, some extremely serious.
“If you have family history of heart disease, taking good care of your gums is vital.”
A large percentage of the population has gum disease and doesn’t even realize it. Some of those people suspect they may have gum disease but do little or nothing about it. At Weiser & Grant Dentistry’s Santa Barbara dental office, we take periodontal disease seriously and urge those with heart disease or with gum disease symptoms to make an appointment for a consultation with us.
Gum Disease and the Far-Reaching Impact of Active Oral Infections
If you have heart disease or have a family history of heart disease taking good care of your gums is vital. If you have gum disease and you neglect it, you will put yourself at risk for heart disease.
The mouth / systemic health link is scientifically proven and although there isn’t a definitive answer on why the presence of gum disease leads to a risk of heart disease, it’s believed that the ongoing infection is in the bloodstream, causes inflammation, and puts tremendous stress on the body.
How Santa Barbara Dentists Dr. Mark T. Weiser and Dr. Lance Grant Help
“If you’ve received news about heart disease from your family doctor or cardiologist, it’s a good idea to take the time to book an appointment to discuss gum health, too.”
Dr. Mark T. Weiser and Dr. Lance Grant both believe in preventative oral care. Brushing, flossing, avoiding tobacco products, and taking good care of your health overall can all contribute to better health and lower the risk of gum disease as well as heart disease. Drs. Weiser and Grant will screen for gum health at every checkup. If you have signs of gum disease, we will offer both surgical and non-surgical treatment options to help. Whether you have gingivitis, moderate periodontitis, or even advanced periodontitis, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible.
If you’ve received news about heart disease from your family doctor or cardiologist, it’s a good idea to take the time to book an appointment to discuss gum health, too. If you have received information from your doctor about heart disease, be sure to inform Weiser & Grant Dentistry’s team so that this can be taken into consideration for any future dental treatments. Antibiotics may be required before certain procedures, for example.
Call us today at (805) 899-3600 for an appointment where you can discuss periodontal disease screening and/or gum disease treatment options with our Santa Barbara dental health team.