Valentine’s Day is behind us and February is almost gone, but it’s never too late to talk about the connection between oral health and heart health. As studies have shown, the connection between the two isn’t negligible. Even though their relationship isn’t entirely clear to doctors yet, one clearly exists. And in large part, that connection is believed to involve gum disease, and the bacteria and plaque that cause it.

When left untreated, gum disease can lead to the formation of pockets in the soft tissue around the base of teeth. These pockets then make it possible for bacteria and plaque to find a way inside the bloodstream and, from there, to other parts of the body. When bacteria reaches the heart, the danger is that it might aggravate your arterial walls, eventually causing protective plaque to build up, blocking blood flow in the process and eventually triggering a heart attack.

If you’d like to find out more about the connection between your oral health and your general wellbeing, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Canzoneri’s Arcadia dental office. Dr. Canzoneri serves patients from all across the Los Angeles area and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Give us a call today.