As February comes to a close, and we look forward to March and spring activities, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on your heart health and how your oral health impacts it.  A good oral hygiene routine actually plays a significant role in your heart health and as your Brookline dentist, we think both are important.  Your smile is your first impression, but also a gateway to your health.  As the dentist Brookline families trust for their oral health care and preventive dentistry needs, let’s take a look at how you can maintain a beautiful smile and have great heart and oral health at the same time.

Create a good oral hygiene habit

A good routine for your oral health includes brushing twice daily, flossing each day, healthy foods, and visits to our Brookline dentist.  Our dental exams are a preventative dentistry measure that ensures dental problems don’t get out of hand.  Healthy food choices are also important for your oral health.

Oral Health and Heart Disease

The condition of your gums and your heart health are thought to be related to some degree.  Gum disease and the bacteria and bleeding gums that come with it can affect the bloodstream.  Once the bacterium enters the bloodstream, it has access to the blood vessels in your heart.  Now plaque formation is occurring in your arteries and your risk for a heart attack increases.  By caring for your smile with proper oral hygiene habits, you can reduce your risk of strokes and heart disease.

How to prevent gum disease

It’s fairly simple to prevent gum disease.  If you brush and floss every day and visit our Brookline dentist office at least twice each year, you’ll eliminate the symptoms that are a part of gum disease.  Regular cleanings and checkups remove tartar and plaque and ensure gingivitis hasn’t begun yet.  Look for signs of gum disease such as bleeding gums, bad breath, red gums, and even swollen gums.  Early intervention of these symptoms helps us prevent gum disease.

How is gum disease treated?

If you are one of the 50% of Americans who already have gum disease, not to worry.  Our priority is your oral health and we can work fast to establish an oral treatment plan that will reduce the threat to your health.  It is important to get treatment immediately so that your teeth and your heart are protected.

Our Brookline dentist team wants you in great health and we want to help you establish good oral hygiene habits so that your overall health isn’t compromised.  Our Facebook page hosts many great topics that pertain to your oral health, and you are always welcome to call our office to learn more.