Brushing Your Teeth and Preventing Heart Disease

The 2010 British

Medical Journal has reported information on a recent study that shows brushing the teeth twice daily can actually lower the risk of getting heart disease. By brushing twice daily, lower levels of certain inflammatory markers were noted. These markers have been associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Lower levels of inflammatory markers will mean a lower risk of heart disease.

Participants of this study who brushed infrequently were found to increase their risk of getting some type of cardiovascular disease by 70%, compared to participants who brushed their teeth twice daily. The reason for this is due to greater levels of inflammatory markers that were present in those who brushed less frequently.

Periodontal disease results in inflammation and researchers note that inflammation may very well play a role in linking problems in the mouth to problems with the heart. With infections of the gum, there will be accompanying inflammation, thus presenting a greater risk of the development of heart disease.

Researchers believe that this study proves there is definitely a connection between the state of oral health and cardiovascular problems, and inflammation of the gums plays a part in this connection. Brushing teeth twice daily provides benefits over less frequent brushing.

Dr. Shindler, dentist in Westlake Village, will be pleased to assist you with your dental needs and help you to keep your teeth and gums in the best condition, so that you will not increase your risk of contracting heart disease sometime in the future.

Source: Dr. Philip Shindler, Dentist Westlake Village

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