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Hearth Health 8: Oral health's impact on cardiovascular health

Hearth Health 8: Oral health's impact on cardiovascular health

It is no secret that eating right, exercising and staying away from tobacco are essential to cardiovascular health, but oral health can also play a big role in keeping your heart healthy.

Joanie Moneith said while at the dentist recently her hygienist discussed the overall importance of oral health.


"She explained the connection between oral health and heart disease, and I had no idea. No one had ever told me," said Monteith.

It was a message that hit home for Monteith.

"In my family there is a history of heart disease. Where I always try to take good care of my teeth and try to take good care of my health, I realized this was something that was important to do," said Monteith.

Dr. Joan Sandell said talking about oral health is a discussion she likes to have with every patient.

"We take a thorough comprehensive medical history and the patients vital signs, so we know our patient's systemic health before we address their oral health needs," said Sandell.

Sandell said what is happening in someone's mouth could also be a link to what is happening in other parts of their body.

"The risk factors of periodontal disease are many of the same risk factors for cardiovascular disease," said Sandell.

Cardiologist Dr. Johnathan Eddinger agrees.

"There's direct evidence that links inflammation from the gums to inflammation in the arteries. Inflammation is the core to what begins the development of blockage in the heart," said Eddinger.

While doctors can't definitively said that periodontal disease cardiovascular and vice versa, they know reducing risk factors for one disease can have an impact on the other.

"Common sense would lead someone to say, 'I will do everything I can to have a very healthy mouth cause I know I am reducing some risk factors,'" said Sandell.