Mouth Off on Heart Disease

When it comes to heart disease, you would think the best place to understand the disease would be with...the heart. Maybe so, but researchers are putting their money where the mouths are.

The idea is that those with unhealthy mouths have a higher risk of heart disease. People with poor dental hygiene have a lot more bacteria in their mouths, and all different kinds of bacteria as well. All these bacteria end up in the bloodstream where they can combine with platelets, causing blockages. Blockages in the arteries lead to heart disease.

Scientists are studying the interaction between bacteria and platelets that lead to the blockages and are trying to develop new drugs to prevent it from happening. Although no relationship has been established between mouth troubles such as periodontal disease and heart disease, other studies have shown strong links between the two.

Until research in this area improves, scientists are reminding people to practice healthy oral hygiene. Brush twice a day, floss after every meal and visit your dentist for regular checkups. But you’ve been taking care of your teeth anyway, right?

Have you noticed your oral health affect any other areas of your body? [HealthDay]