Brushing Your Teeth and Risk of Heart Strokes

It needs no repeating that brushing and flossing your teeth keep your smile healthy and your gums safe. But your oral health is not the only thing at risk if you neglect your dental hygiene. Your physical health is actually very dependent on your dental cleaning habits, as well.

According to a study done by researchers at Columbia’s University’s Mailman School of Public Health, brushing and flossing have been found to combat bacteria, which would otherwise harden the arteries. This effect on the arteries can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The study involved examining the dental health of 420 patients for three years. They specifically looked at the gum health of these patients, and its relation to atherosclerosis, or arteries clogged with fatty substances. Atherosclerosis can occur both in the cases of severely infected gums and an excess of bacteria in the mouth. This means that if you are attentive and active about your oral health, you have a considerably less of a risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke. In the same vein, if you are neglectful and fail to take good care of your teeth, you are essentially allowing upwards of seven hundred different types of bacteria into your blood stream, an increasing your chances of experiencing serious heart issues.

If you want to ensure your dental and heart health by keeping your teeth nice and clean, or believe you may be in serious physical risk due to neglected oral health, come visit our dental cleaning dentist in Los Angeles for a full examination.

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