Oral Sense

🦷 How Your Mouth and Heart Are Connected ♥️

Your oral health isn’t just about having nice teeth, it’s deeply connected to your cardiovascular system. Research shows that gum diseases like periodontitis may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and other heart-related events.

• A review found that individuals with gum diseases had about twice a risk of a heart attack compared with those who had healthy gums.
• A systematic umbrella review reported associations between periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation and stroke.
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What this means for you:
• Bleeding or swollen gums = not just a dental issue, could be a sign of systemic inflammation.
• Good oral hygiene supports your heart not just your mouth.
• While gum diseases and heart disease share common risk factors (smoking, diabetes, poor diet, low physical activity) they also influence each other.

Tips: 🤩
✅Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
✅Floss Daily
✅Avoid smoking
✅Eat a balanced diet
✅Visit your dentist regularly!!

A study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine highlights that individuals with congenital heart diseases exhibit elevated levels of inflammatory markers, such as PGE2 and IL-1ß, in their oral fluids. These elevated markers indicate a systemic inflammatory state, linking periodontal disease to heart conditions.
Your gums are more than just a smile- they are a window to your heart. Chronic gum disease can lead to systemic inflammation, increasing the risk of heart disease. Don’t ignore the signs- take care of your gums, take care of your heart.♥️

Clench much? Turns out, stress-related traits are tightly linked to grinding, even if your dentist doesn’t spot the wear yet. Research shows Bruxers display stronger stress-linked traits than non-bruxers.

Early intervention = better protection.

Interventions:
1. Occlusal Splints/ Night Guards
2. Stress & Anxiety Management
3. Physiotherapy & Muscle Relaxation
4. Lifestyle Adjustments
5. Botox Injections into master muscles

In chair teeth whitening usually recommended to get done every 6-12 months max, depending on your enamel strength and lifestyles (coffee, wine, smoking = more stains). Doing it too often can cause enamel wear, sensitivity and gum irritation.

Touch ups between sessions? Use dentist-approved whitening trays or pens! Be sure to ask your Dentist for any advices!