Do you think that gingivitis and heart disease have anything in common? The mouth and the heart, outside of the mouth being a gateway to the rest of the body, may not seem to have much in common at the surface. When you dig a bit deeper, though, you realize that the two are more linked than you may realize. As a matter of fact, it is a true statement that gingivitis can be a contributing factor to heart disease. How can this be though? What in the world would an infection in the mouth have to do with the health of your heart?
The more research completed, the more you realize that the health of your heart coincides with that of your mouth very carefully. Think of the numbers across the world when talking about heart disease. The cardiovascular disease impacts millions of people every year. As we age, our hearts get more and more pressure placed on them. As with any muscle, they will weaken over time, eventually failing to function. The process of heart disease can be sped up when gingivitis is also in play.
The Link between the Mouth and Heart
So where is the link exactly when you are talking about the connection between the mouth and heart disease? To fully understand this, you have to have a solid understanding of gingivitis first and foremost. This is a disease that is non-destructive and is going to form around the teeth in your mouth. It is the most common form of periodontal disease that exists across the world. The most common symptom of gingivitis is that of having bacteria, swelling, forming around the gums and attaching to the surfaces of the teeth. When not properly treated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis.
When you have bacteria, inflammation, swelling, it can lead to an issue that your heart is going to have to deal with. Hardened arteries are going to form when inflammation and swelling are at play. When the arteries harden, the ability for blood to flow properly to your heart is reduced substantially. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including having a heart attack and stroke.
One of the most common things that go along with gingivitis is that of swelling and bacteria. When you have swelling and inflammation of the gums, the bacteria that is causing this is going to be swallowed throughout your mouth. As you consume this bacteria, where do you think that it is going to go? The heart is going to have to process this. The bacteria can make it through the arteries and be picked up, thus increasing the risk of heart disease.
Poor Wellness Linked as Well
The other consideration to think about here is that those that suffer from gingivitis do not live a very healthy lifestyle. It may not be that the gingivitis itself is a cause of the heart disease. Instead, it may be more of a statement to your overall wellness. When you do not live a healthy lifestyle, exercising, practicing good hygiene, consuming a quality diet, you are setting your heart up to have issues in the short and long-term.
Poor wellness is something to fix. You may have treated your body poorly for the last few decades, but that does not mean that it is too late to turn things around. Just like gingivitis can be treated, so can your overall lifestyle and its health. Take care of yourself and work to prevent things such as gingivitis from forming in the first place. By taking care of yourself, you will be reducing your risk of heart disease overall.
The link between gingivitis and heart disease is pretty clear. It is all about bacteria, inflammation, swelling, and an overall poor level of health and wellness. All of these contributing factors can lead to unnecessary stress on the heart. The more stress on the heart, the more bacteria that can form and harden the arteries, the higher the risk heart disease strikes. Take action now to control your wellness, improve it, for the better of your heart starting today!
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