{"id":40,"date":"2020-02-04T17:43:52","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T17:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.santaviccadental.com\/blog\/?p=40"},"modified":"2021-08-09T14:57:34","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T14:57:34","slug":"dentist-in-lebanon-heart-heart-and-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.santaviccadental.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/04\/dentist-in-lebanon-heart-heart-and-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"American Heart Month: Oral Care Is Heart Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"woman<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Heart disease is the top cause of death in the United\nStates. In fact, it claims more than 600,000 lives each year! Since February is\nAmerican Heart Month, you may be using this time to think about how you can\nadjust your eating and exercise habits to protect your heart. But did you know\nthat the way you take care of your oral health can also have a bearing on heart\nhealth? In this post, we discuss how protecting your gums can be an important\npart of protecting your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gum Disease and Heart Disease Are Linked<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A 2016 study by the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden\nfound that gum disease can increase the risk of a first heart attack by 28\npercent. Separate studies have also found a strong correlation between gum\ndisease and heart problems. The prevailing theory about the reason for the\ncorrelation between the conditions has to do with inflammation. Gum disease\nincreases the body\u2019s burden of inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a major\ncontributor to atherosclerosis (fatty plaque deposits on the artery walls).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventing Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since preventing gum disease in Lebanon may reduce your risk\nof heart problems, you should do everything within your power to care for your\ngums. Here are a few tips to help you safeguard this precious pink tissue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n