Let’s be honest—the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just affect people’s health because of the virus itself, but also because of the routine services that were put off in hopes of staying safe. For example, last year, close to half (46.7 percent) of American adults delayed seeing a dentist due to COVID-19.
While some may consider dental care more important for physical attractiveness, it’s important to not forget that your dental health is linked to your overall health. For example, there may be a link between your oral health and your cardiac health (yes, really).
What is the link between gum disease and heart disease?
There is a possibility that the connection between heart disease and gum disease (periodontitis) is circumstantial. However, the connection is so strong that research has been ongoing to find out if treating periodontitis could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Plus, the connection has led many doctors and dentists to recommend being on top of your oral health so that (hopefully) this is never an issue.
A 2021 article published by Harvard Health Publishing noted that while there “may not be a direct connection” between heart disease and periodontitis, people who have periodontitis tend to be somewhere between 2 and 3 times more likely to have a stroke, heart attack, or another cardiovascular event. So, why take the chance?
Here’s how to keep your heart and your dental health in check.
Considering the possible connection between your oral health and your overall health, it could be wise to be sure that you do the following:
Regularly go to the dentist.
While we should all already know it, preventing gum disease starts with practicing good dental health daily by flossing and then brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. This is vital to preventing issues with your gums. Just as vital is making sure to regularly see a dentist. By regularly seeing a dentist in Mesa you’ll find dental services ranging from general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry for patients of all ages.
Whether you need dental implants, a root canal, a dental crown, Invisalign, composite fillings, or you simply need digital X-rays and teeth cleaning, the experienced dentists here can get you the dental treatment you need. With the latest in dental technology, personalized services, great insurance options, and options for if you have dental anxiety, this could be the ideal dental office for you.
Keep up with preventative care for cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease killed 18.6 million people in 2019, making it the leading cause of death on a global scale, according to the American Heart Association. While there are a lot of things you can undeniably do to care for your heart, such as avoiding high blood pressure, eating right, getting enough exercise, getting your cholesterol checked, quitting smoking, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, more recent cardiology research is showing that all this may still not be enough.
By getting the care that is tailored to the individual patient by a cardiologist in Beverly Hills that is known as a “leader” in preventative cardiology, you can get a better idea about how to prevent any type of coronary artery disease. Dr. Bereliani is an award-winning cardiologist who believes that heart disease can be prevented, but he doesn’t believe that the standard testing for heart disease risk factors is enough. “Dr. B” goes further with his testing by doing Maxpulse Device Testing (a noninvasive procedure to check for arterial stiffness), an extensive cholesterol particular measurement test, and genetic testing so that he can better understand all your risk factors. After thoroughly understanding your case, you can even get recommendations for how to improve and optimize your health and wellness.