Researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without gum disease. There is a link between gum & heart disease. Oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood stream attaching to fatty plaques in heart blood vessels & contribute to clot formation. Gum disease can also exacerbate existing heart conditions.
Patients at risk of heart disease may require antibiotics prior to dental procedures
- How to maintain Oral hygiene with patients having heart disease:
Keeping your mouth healthy is the key • See your dentist at least twice a year for check-ups • Gum disease often show few or no symptoms, watch for gums that are red or those bleeding easily as there are many new treatments available to control and reverse gum disease • Brush twice daily & floss
- When to have a dental treatment after a heart attack –
Percentage of re-infarction is unusually high for first six months after myocardial infarction (Heart Disease). During this time absolutely necessary dental treatment should be done after consulting the cardiologist.
Every penny spent on dental care can save much more spent in medical care as 1.5 men have heart attacks every minute.