February was Heart Health Month, as seen by the Go Red Campaign. Every week there are more articles written about the correlation between good oral hygiene and keeping your heart healthy. So what does this all mean to me? And what can I do about it? Oral infection increases the risk of strokes. Research has shown people with periodontal disease are more likely to have heart disease as those who have healthy gums.
Inflammation anywhere in your body is bad, so start at the top and look at your gums. If your gums look puffy or red, step up your brushing and flossing. The rules are simple to follow: Brush twice a day for a minimum of 2 minutes each time. The average adult brushes for less than 45 seconds. Floss daily and see your general dentist twice a year. Keep your heart healthy with your toothbrush, a pretty cheap investment.
Check out this article for more information: www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/periodontal-disease-heart-health