{"id":174,"date":"2020-05-22T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-22T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentalpartnersofnewburyport.com\/blog\/?p=174"},"modified":"2020-06-01T18:03:35","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T18:03:35","slug":"unhealthy-gums-might-be-damaging-your-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentalpartnersofnewburyport.com\/blog\/unhealthy-gums-might-be-damaging-your-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"Unhealthy Gums Might Be Damaging Your Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Bacteria<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Good dental health care is about more than keeping your teeth clean, it\u2019s about taking care of your entire body. Diseases that develop in your mouth have the ability to spread and cause damage elsewhere. One of the most powerful examples of this phenomenon is the relationship between gum disease and heart disease. Read on to find out how these conditions are connected and what you can do to stop them from developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Causes Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bacteria that live in your mouth are the primary cause of gum disease. When bits of food get trapped in the spaces between your teeth, bacteria break them down. In the process of doing so, they form a hard substance known as plaque. When it is not removed regularly, it can combine with minerals and saliva in your mouth to form an even tougher substance known as tartar. When it collects beneath the gum line, it can cause an infection that destroys the gum tissue and bone around your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Gum Disease Affect Your Heart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While a direct causal relationship between gum disease and heart disease has yet to be found, scientists have detected signs that the two are linked. The bacteria that cause inflammation in the gums have been found in blood vessels of patients with narrow arteries. Researchers believe that during the advanced stages of gum disease, bacteria enter the bloodstream and travel to other areas of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are The Signs Of Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In its early stages, gum disease can be hard to detect at home because it doesn\u2019t have obvious signs. It is only when the disease becomes severe that people begin to notice it. Some things that you should look out for include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n