New research suggests that visits to the dentist are good not only for your oral health, but your overall health as well.
A study of 1000 Taiwanese adults found a correlation between professional cleanings and a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Half of those studied had at least one previous professional teeth cleaning; the other half did not. Those that had at least one professional cleaning had a 24 percent lower risk of a heart attack, and 13 percent lower risk of stroke than the group that had never had a professional cleaning.
According to the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Emily (Zu-Yin) Chen, a cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, the correlation was even stronger amongst adults who had their teeth “scaled” (a technique in which the doctor scrapes the tooth to remove plaque build-up) once a year. Dr. Chen’s team presented their research to the American Heart Association back in 2011.
The adults who were studied had no previous history of heart attack or stroke; however, the study was not able to take into account other variables such as the weight and smoking habits of the subjects.
The research team believes that professional teeth cleanings diminish the growth of bacteria, which causes inflammation and can eventually lead to heart disease or stroke. Scaling especially is shown to decrease chronic inflammation.
One Possible Explanation
Just how would bacteria on your teeth lead to a heart attack? Some scientists have suggested that when bacteria builds up on the teeth and in the gums, and infiltrates the bloodstream, the body recognizes it as a foreign object, and the blood vessels try to attack and kill the bacteria. Similar to the body’s response to an infection, this causes inflammation and swelling, which narrows the blood vessels and prevents healthy blood flow to organs like the brain and heart.
Schedule a Dental Appointment Today
Dental professionals recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. In addition to cleaning and scraping your teeth, your dentist can check for signs of oral disease or cancer.
If you neglected your oral health earlier in life and gum disease has affected your teeth, there are many options to restore a beautiful smile. After rehabilitating the health of your teeth and gums, Dr. Ronald Trevisani, an Orlando dental implants provider, can explore your tooth replacement options with you.
Depending on your needs, you may be a great candidate for a single dental implant, implant-supported bridge or the Hybridge system, which can replace multiple teeth at once. Contact Dr. Trevisani today and schedule an appointment to discuss your options. – See more at: http://drtrevisani.com/blog/dental-visits-good-overall-health-orlando#sthash.mC2KIy51.dpuf
A study of 1000 Taiwanese adults found a correlation between professional cleanings and a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Half of those studied had at least one previous professional teeth cleaning; the other half did not. Those that had at least one professional cleaning had a 24 percent lower risk of a heart attack, and 13 percent lower risk of stroke than the group that had never had a professional cleaning.
According to the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Emily (Zu-Yin) Chen, a cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, the correlation was even stronger amongst adults who had their teeth “scaled” (a technique in which the doctor scrapes the tooth to remove plaque build-up) once a year. Dr. Chen’s team presented their research to the American Heart Association back in 2011.
The adults who were studied had no previous history of heart attack or stroke; however, the study was not able to take into account other variables such as the weight and smoking habits of the subjects.
The research team believes that professional teeth cleanings diminish the growth of bacteria, which causes inflammation and can eventually lead to heart disease or stroke. Scaling especially is shown to decrease chronic inflammation.
One Possible Explanation
Just how would bacteria on your teeth lead to a heart attack? Some scientists have suggested that when bacteria builds up on the teeth and in the gums, and infiltrates the bloodstream, the body recognizes it as a foreign object, and the blood vessels try to attack and kill the bacteria. Similar to the body’s response to an infection, this causes inflammation and swelling, which narrows the blood vessels and prevents healthy blood flow to organs like the brain and heart.
Schedule a Dental Appointment Today
Dental professionals recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. In addition to cleaning and scraping your teeth, your dentist can check for signs of oral disease or cancer.
If you neglected your oral health earlier in life and gum disease has affected your teeth, there are many options to restore a beautiful smile. After rehabilitating the health of your teeth and gums, Dr. Ronald Trevisani, an Orlando dental implants provider, can explore your tooth replacement options with you.
Depending on your needs, you may be a great candidate for a single dental implant, implant-supported bridge or the Hybridge system, which can replace multiple teeth at once. Contact Dr. Trevisani today and schedule an appointment to discuss your options. – See more at: http://drtrevisani.com/blog/dental-visits-good-overall-health-orlando#sthash.mC2KIy51.dpuf
