Floss Your Teeth for Heart Health

It's possible that one of the easiest and most economical ways to protect your heart health is with floss and a toothbrush.

Dentist's and dental hygienists constantly remind patients to brush and floss their teeth. Flossing the teeth is important for tooth and gum health. It is also important for overall health.

Recent studies have shown that neglecting your dental care may also be damaging to your heart. Periodontal disease, which is an inflammation of the gums, has been shown to increase the risk of the development an progress of heart disease. Periodontal disease is being linked to coronary artery disease, or atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a narrowing of the arteries caused by deposits of fat and plaque onto he arterial walls. In severe cases, the arteries can become entirely blocked,leading to heart attacks. Because the affected arteries are responsible for carrying oxygen rich blood to the heart, the narrowing of the blood vessels leads to strain and chest pains during periods of heightened activity.

A study by Dr. A. Bazile and colleagues from the Department of Periodontics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland in research presented in the June, 2002 Journal of Periodontology found that people with mouth infections run a higher risk of heart disease, according to The Register.

"Treating gum disease cuts heart attack risk" according to Dr. Barbara Taylor, head of periodontics at the Sydney Dental Hospital in Australia in the January 2006 Journal of Dental Research, as quoted by The Register.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Finding a connection between heart health and inflammation of the gums could lead to a new approach in preventative cardiac medicine.

Periodontal disease occurs when the gums around the teeth become infected. The infection occurs when plaque develops around the teeth, irritating the gums and causing them to swell. Gingivitis develops when the bacteria causing moves underneath the gum line, attacking the tissue and bone around the teeth. Pockets are formed underneath the gums, in which more bacteria can grow and multiply.