{"id":182,"date":"2021-02-12T14:26:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T14:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oakridgedentalsanramon.com\/blog\/?p=182"},"modified":"2021-02-24T14:31:00","modified_gmt":"2021-02-24T14:31:00","slug":"american-heart-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oakridgedentalsanramon.com\/blog\/american-heart-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Gums & Heart: An Important Connection!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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February is that time of year when everyone is thinking about their heart\u2026 because of Valentine\u2019s Day! However, in addition to this romantic holiday, February is also home to American Heart Month \u2013 an effort to raise awareness on the importance of cardiovascular health. You may know lots of ways to keep your heart in tip-top shape, but did you know that your gums can affect it\u2019s health? Read on to learn about the surprising connection between the health of your gums and heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Can Your Gums Affect Your Heart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recent research (that is continuing to develop) shows a relationship between gum disease and the health of your heart. Gum disease is a common dental issue that affects about half of the current US population. It\u2019s usually caused by poor oral healthcare, leading to plaque buildup that irritates the gums. Early on, it\u2019s symptoms can be easily reversed. However, if left untreated, gum disease can lead to permanent gum tissue damage, jawbone deterioration and even tooth loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the risks of untreated gum disease don\u2019t stop with your mouth. Studies show that this common dental issue can increase your chances of being affected by heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular problems by up to 20%. This is because the bacteria that inflames your gums can get into your bloodstream, causing your arteries to narrow. The inflammation makes it more difficult for blood to travel to the heart, leading to a higher risk of heart-related issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Know if You Have Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward getting the right treatment is being able to recognize when you\u2019re affected. Gum disease can often have more discreet symptoms, but you can still be on the lookout for these common warning signs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n