The Connection between Your Heart and Your gums

February 13, 2013

Valentine’s Day is almost here. That means people everywhere will soon have hearts on their minds. But Valentine’s Day isn’t the only heart-related thing about February. It’s also Heart Health Month.

How does that relate to dentistry?

At first glance, it doesn’t seem as if it should. However, some studies have indicated that a common oral health condition like gum disease is not to distantly related to heart disease, among other health conditions. The extent of the connection isn’t entirely understood yet, but just hearing this can force you to think about dentistry in a new way.

The main concern of dentistry is your smile, of course. But when you consider that the plaque and bacteria from around your gums can gain access to the rest of your body through pockets caused by gum disease, you start to see the total-body connection your smile has with the rest of you.

In this light, caring for your smile with regular checkups isn’t just about protecting your teeth—it’s also about supporting your overall health.

Are you concerned about gum disease? In our next post, we’ll look at one of the most effective services available for combating this common disease. For now, call Westside Dental Associates if you’re concerned about your smile. Dr. Latner is proud to serve patients from Los Angeles and beyond with general, cosmetic, and restorative care.

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