At our office, our St. Clair Shores Dentist and team is not only compassionate about your dental health but we also care about your total wellness. Your heart health is a large factor in your overall wellness. You may not realize that there is a close connection between your heart and mouth.

Gum disease and heart disease are inflammatory diseases. This may explain why heart disease and gum disease can transpire at the same time. Extensive research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that heart disease is the number one life threatening disease.

Periodontal disease (gum) is caused by a build up of plaque, which inflames your gum tissue. The build up of plaque forms pockets of harmful bacteria will settle into your gums and may eventually settle into your bloodstream. The mouth is a direct passageway to your body’s bloodstream. The same bacterium that causes gum disease has been found in heart arteries. Gum disease is strong enough to thicken and attack the carotid arteries in the heart. When you are treated for gum disease with your dentist in St. Clair Shores MI, it not only reduces inflammation in your gums but also decreases inflammation throughout your entire  body to lower the risk of future heart complications.

With your dentist in St. Clair Shores, preventive care is the ultimate care. You decrease your risk of a heart attack or stroke, when you seek professional preventive treatment for oral disease. Avoiding periodontal disease benefits your overall health. Prevent periodontal disease by following these great oral hygiene habits:

• Brush your teeth twice daily
• Floss daily
• Rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash
• Schedule routine check ups

Schedule dental visits twice a year for a professional cleaning and exam. To schedule an appointment with you dentist in St. Clair Shores MI, please give us a call at our convenient St. Clair Shores Dentist office.