{"id":573,"date":"2022-02-03T22:54:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-03T22:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mwdentalcenter.com\/blog\/?p=573"},"modified":"2022-03-22T22:58:34","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T22:58:34","slug":"heart-health-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mwdentalcenter.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/03\/heart-health-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Your Heart Healthy by Caring for Your Smile"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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February is here, so you\u2019re probably thinking about your Valentine\u2019s Day date that\u2019s coming up. However, there is more than one reason to be thinking about your heart this time of year. February is American Heart Health Month, so there is no better time than to be evaluating your cardiovascular wellbeing. Once of the ways that you can work to keep your heart in good health is by caring for your smile. The two have much more in common than you may think. Read on to learn more about how they are related and some tips for keeping them both in excellent shape!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Are Oral and Cardiovascular Health Related?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease is a common problem faced by adults. In fact, about half of people over the age of 30 in the United States are suffering from the condition at one stage or another. Gum disease is defined as an infection of the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth. When it\u2019s left without treatment, it can progress, causing irreversible issues, including gum recession, loose teeth, tooth loss, and jawbone deterioration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This infection is not limited to the oral cavity. People with gum disease are more likely to endure other health issues, including both diabetes and heart disease. It isn\u2019t clear exactly what the connection is, but it\u2019s believed that people with gum disease are three times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, or another serious cardiovascular event in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Is Gum Disease Prevented?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As common as gum disease is, it\u2019s actually easy to prevent. Here are some steps that you can take to reduce your risk of developing it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n