Blog Highlights:
- There is a connection between heart disease and gum disease, the American Heart Association says
- Studies have not indicated if the regular observance of oral hygiene has an impact on the incidence and severity of heart disease
- Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults
In 2012, the American Heart Association has stated that there is a close connection between gum disease and heart disease. The article says that current scientific data does not specify whether treatment of the gum disease or the maintenance of oral hygiene can help decrease the incidence of heart disease as well as lessen the severity of the narrowing arteries. There is evidence however, that shows the association of gum disease with heart disease even when adjusted for common risk factors.
Gum disease is the infection of the tissues around the teeth; it is also the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The ADA believes that the best way that you can do to prevent tooth decay and avoid gum disease is to observe the following:
- See your dentist regularly for checkups and for professional dental cleaning
- Eat a balanced diet and avoid unhealthy snacks
- Floss teeth once a day or use an interdental cleaner
- Brush teeth twice a day with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste
