Dental Care Can Prevent Heart Disease?

How could the tooth, part of the body that are relatively unrelated, affect the heart?

People who regularly check their teeth and take care of their teeth tend to have fewer heart problems. This conclusion was discovered by Professor Howard Jenkinson from the University of Bristol, England. Jenkinson was accidentally get the findings when examining how blood cells are affected by bacteria.

Bacteria in the mouth

The mouth has almost 700 species of bacteria that live in it. These bacteria help break down food particles. Every time you eat, drink or even open your mouth, the number of bacteria in your mouth will increase. Most of them are the type of bacteria that are safe, but there are also dangerous. Brushing your teeth properly and take care of keeping the bacterial growth remained under control.

However, poor dental care can lead to gum infections, gingivitis and other oral diseases. This can cause harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream and becomes an independent factor that causes heart disease. The bacteria are spread through your arteries from the mouth can also lead to increased plaque formation, as well as foods rich in saturated fat increases the production of plaque on artery walls. This is contributing to increased blood pressure and decreased blood flow leading to heart disease and even stroke. Streptococcus Gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis are some bacteria that cause mouth infections and identified the factors that cause heart disease.

Prevention is better

Certain antibiotics appears to be ineffective against heart disease. It is possible that oral bacteria cause. Professor Jenkinson and Dr Steve Kerringan still working to find solutions. Until found, prevention of oral disease and maintaining oral hygiene is the best method to protect yourself. Protection can be further enhanced by using dental care products such as anti-bacterial spray and mouthwash. This helps to prevent infection of the mouth and, in turn, protects against one cause of heart disease.

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