The Oral‑Systemic Link: How Gum Disease May Influence Heart Health

Your gums are more than just the tissue that helps keep your teeth in place. They also create a barrier between the environment within your mouth and your bloodstream and internal tissues. When gum disease develops, you’re at risk of serious health issues, including heart disease. 

At Periodontist of Weston, we take our role as your dental health advisor very seriously. We’re happy to share relevant advice to help preserve and protect your oral health and general health. That includes diagnosing and treating periodontal (gum) disease.

What does your gum health have to do with your overall health?

The answer lies in the role that gums play within your body. Your gums extend down to your jawbone and around the roots of your teeth, as well as in the small spaces between each tooth. 

The tissue that runs from the front of your teeth to the borders of your lips is also a form of gum tissue. It’s the tissue that lines the inside of your cheeks and the roof and floor of your mouth.   

Your gums help hold your teeth in place and offer a safe space for your permanent teeth to emerge during childhood and adolescence. But they also help create a barrier that divides the inside of your mouth from your internal tissues and bloodstream. 

This is important because the human mouth is teeming with a complex network of bacteria. Some of those bacteria are beneficial, while others are potentially dangerous. 

If your gum tissue becomes damaged due to injury or advanced gum disease, the bacteria within your mouth can enter your bloodstream and spread throughout your body. This can lead to negative outcomes, and researchers are still learning about the effects of gum disease on overall health. 

How gum disease threatens your heart health

One way that gum disease affects heart health is by causing inflammation within your blood vessels. This inflammation can damage the walls of your blood vessels, enabling tiny clots to form. 

These clots can eventually break free and cause a stroke. The damage to blood vessel walls can increase the risk of plaque accumulating on the walls and hardening them, leaving less room for blood to flow and increasing your risk of a heart attack. 

Researchers are still learning how gum disease can affect your heart health. But it appears that there’s a link between gum disease and cardiovascular health. 

You can reduce your risk of systemic health issues caused by periodontal disease by taking great care of your teeth and gums. That includes brushing and flossing regularly, as well as coming in for routine dental exams. 

Dr. Segal can detect gum disease in the early stages, when treatment isn’t as complicated. You can often reverse the symptoms of gingivitis by improving your oral hygiene routines. 

Periodontist of Weston also offers treatment options for more advanced gum disease, called periodontitis. These include a special type of cleaning called scaling and root planing, as well as gum surgery, if needed. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how your oral health affects your overall health, schedule a visit to our comfortable and welcoming office in Weston, Florida. You can give us a call at 954-385-9599, or click here to request a visit through our online booking tool.