What is the Connection Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease?

According to research, people with periodontal disease (gum disease) are almost twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Doctors believe that two different factors could be responsible for the connection:

• Oral bacteria – Oral bacteria can attach to fatty plaques in your arteries (your heart’s blood vessels) and contribute to the formation of blood clots. These blood clots can obstruct your bloodflow and ultimately prevent your heart from receiving the proper amount of nutrients and oxygen, leading to heart attacks.
• Inflammation – The gum inflammation caused by periodontal disease increases the amount of plaque build-up in your blood vessels, which can contribute to swelling in your arteries.

Gum disease has also been shown to make existing heart conditions worse. Patients who are already at risk for heart disease should take their dental hygiene seriously. Our experienced dentists at Boles, Ham, Dixon & Boles focus on a preventative approach to gum disease, but if you already have periodontal problems, we provide root planning and scaling services to treat your condition and prevent the infection from spreading.

If you have further questions about gum disease, please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation. Boles, Ham, Dixon & Boles serve patients in the Greenville, Rocky Mount, Goldsboro, and Wilson areas of North Carolina.