Oral Health and Heart Health

Posted in General Dentistry

A healthy smile is important, but for more reasons than you might think. Besides helping you enjoy a nutritious diet, your smile can also have an impact on your overall wellbeing, and particularly the health of your heart.

According to recent data, what connects your oral and overall wellbeing is gum disease. Besides being incredibly common, gum disease can have a dramatic effect on the shape of your smile and so much more. Gum disease, which is caused by a buildup of bacteria and plaque, is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Its symptoms include swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and pockets between teeth and gums. When bacteria and plaque have a chance to get into these pockets, that’s when your risk of clotting or a heart attack increases

Other health problems associated with gum disease include:

• Diabetes
• Alzheimer’s
• Stroke
• Pneumonia
• Pre-term birth

What can you do to protect your smile and your overall health? Our first recommendation is developing a good brushing and flossing routine. Specifically, you should floss at least once a day and brush at least twice. A good antibacterial mouthwash can also make a significant difference in the health of your smile.

We also recommend coming to Bethesda Sedation Dentistry at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. During your visits, Dr. Klotz and Dr. Schlossberg will look for signs of gum disease and offer care if needed. It’s possible to have gum disease without having any of the above symptoms. During your checkup, we’ll assess your health and put together a treatment plan if we need to.

Call Bethesda Sedation Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Klotz or Dr. Schlossberg. We serve patients from Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Potomac, Annapolis, Crofton, Baltimore, Crownsville, and Washington D.C.