The heart-smile connection
The same things that make you smile often make your heart soar — but the link between your smile and your heart isn’t just emotional.
Recent studies have found that poor oral health is associated with higher risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular issues. More research is needed, but one possible explanation for this is that the bacteria that cause gum disease can travel to other places in your body, including your arteries and heart.
But there’s no need to panic, because you can make changes to reduce your personal risk for cardiovascular issues. Live a heart-healthy lifestyle and care for your smile to keep your internal ticker in tip-top shape!
The term “heart disease” covers several types of heart conditions. The most common type in the U.S. is coronary heart disease, which is when the walls of arteries that carry blood to the heart are narrowed by a plaque buildup.
What does a heart-healthy lifestyle look like?
While heart disease is a common problem — in fact, it is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. — you have it in your power to reduce your personal risk. Get started by speaking with your doctor about a heart-healthy lifestyle and following the tips below!
Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
Using tobacco and vaping products of any kind raises your risk for high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as oral health problems like tooth staining, gum disease, and mouth cancer.
Drinking to excess also raises your risk for dental and cardiovascular issues. This is defined by the CDC as four drinks for women and five for men on a single occasion, or eight drinks for women and 15 for men over the course of a week.
Eat a heart-healthy diet
Improving your nutrition on a daily basis is a great way to reduce your risk for most health complications, and that includes heart disease. To tailor your diet for heart health, you should:
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Eat fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. These contain more nutrition than fruit packed in sugary syrup or vegetables that have been fried or breaded. Carrots and many fruits also contain vitamin C to support gum health.
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Choose whole-grain breads and pastas. They contain fiber and other nutrients that support your heart health and help control blood pressure. However, carbs that stick to your teeth can break down into sugars and cause tooth decay, so make sure to wash them down with water while you’re eating.
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Limit saturated and trans fats. Reading food labels is a great way to avoid accidentally consuming too much fat from processed foods.
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Choose lean protein. Poultry, fish, beans, and low-fat dairy products are all healthier sources of protein than marbled cuts of beef or processed meats like hot dogs and bacon.
If you’d like to change your diet but need some inspiration, you can find recipes for Greek yogurt hummus with fresh veggies, baked salmon, and other heart and smile-healthy recipes at deltadental.com.
Exercise
Regular physical activity works wonders for your cardiovascular health — it can reduce stress and inflammation, lower blood pressure and your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, help you maintain a healthy weight, and more!
To begin seeing these benefits, experts recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (such as hiking, biking, or swimming) five times per week, and moderate weightlifting twice per week.
Brush for your heart and for your smile
To make sure your oral health doesn’t harm your heart health, you should maintain a daily oral health routine — brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once — and make sure you schedule your regular dentist appointments. Strong preventive care can protect your smile and your heart!