As an expert of holistic dentistry, the connection between oral and overall health is nothing new for Tribeca dentist Dr. Lewis Gross. Today, Dr. Lewis Gross would like to focus on the connection between your oral health—specifically periodontal (gum) disease—and heart disease.

Gum Disease and Heart Problems: What are They?

Periodontal (gum) disease is a serious condition in which the gingival tissue surrounding the teeth becomes infected by built-up plaque and harmful bacteria. This colonization of bacteria causes the gum tissue to pull away from the teeth, forming deep periodontal pockets. When left untreated, gum disease can destroy your gum tissue, your teeth, and the jawbone underneath.

Heart problems, specifically coronary heart disease, occur when fatty proteins build up enough to thicken the artery walls. This causes the heart to suffer from a lack of oxygen, which forces the heart to work considerably harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. This condition is the main cause of heart attacks.

The Connection

So now that you understand what gum disease and heart problems are, Dr. Lewis wants to tell you how these two very specific health conditions are related. There are several theories when it comes to this link, which include the following:

• Inflammation: Inflammation is the name of the game with gum disease. Periodontal disease causes severe inflammation of the gum tissue. This, in turn, raises your white blood cell count and protein levels, both of which have been linked to heart disease.
• Oral Bacteria and the Heart: Just like with any virus or disease, there are many types of periodontal bacteria. Some of these strains can enter the bloodstream and attach to the fatty proteins in the coronary arteries. This attachment contributes to the formation of masses and increases your risk of blood clots.
• Susceptibility to Infection: Gum disease doesn’t only affect your mouth and heart, it affects your entire immune system, and individuals with gum disease often have weaker immune systems. This may contribute to the onset of certain forms of heart disease, as well as other serious health problems.

Diagnosis and Treatment

As with all dental and oral health conditions, your best protection is receiving quality professional dental care. On the same note, if you’re already experiencing warning signs of gum disease—bleeding, tender, swollen gums, and chronic bad breath—don’t delay treatment.

Once diagnosed, Dr. Lewis Gross can treat your condition with antibiotics, scaling, and root planing to remove hardened tartar deposits from the periodontal pockets and fight the infection. To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200.