How Smiling Can Help Your Heart Health

Are you planning on giving a heart-shaped box of candies or chocolates to a special someone this Valentine’s Day? That’s great because February is American Heart Month! Since this month is such a great season to learn more about how to take better care of your cardiovascular health, why not take a little time to remember how something as simple as smiling can help your heart stay in great shape? Here’s a brief guide to what your smile can do for your overall health and how you can keep your smile in excellent condition.

How Can Smiling Help My Heart Health?

Believe it or not, smiling frequently has many benefits for your cardiovascular system and your overall health. While grinning generously can make you appear younger and more attractive, it also relieves stress by releasing your natural feel-good chemicals called endorphins. This can help reduce your blood pressure so your heart can work more efficiently and with less strain.

Can Poor Oral Hygiene Affect My Heart?

As more and more studies are performed, more and more information seems to point to a connection between gum disease and heart disease. Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissues of the gums caused by the accumulation of plaque.

While gum disease starts small and may seem negligible at first, if left untreated it can lead to tooth loss, erosion of gum tissue and the jawbones, and even dangerous secondary infections. To make matters worse, people who live with chronic gum disease are two to three times more likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular crisis.

How Can I Keep My Gums Healthy?

Keeping your gums healthy is a great way to help keep your heart healthy as well. The best way to protect your gums and teeth from infections is to practice excellent oral hygiene, which includes:

• Brushing: Every day, take care to brush your teeth after you wake up and before you go to sleep. Each session should last for two minutes, and it’s best to brush gently using short, circular strokes to polish each tooth. This will eliminate plaque and food debris that can cause infections and bad breath.
• Flossing: Dental floss can clean the spaces between your teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach, making it a crucial part of a proper oral hygiene regimen. Carefully floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food residue while stimulating blood flow in the gums.
• Antibacterial mouthwash: This germ-busting potion kills more than 99.9% of harmful bacteria on contact, making it a great finishing touch to your daily oral hygiene routine. It also leaves your breath with a delightfully minty fresh feeling.

Proper oral healthcare requires regular dental visits in addition to excellent dental hygiene at home. By keeping your mouth healthy, you can help keep your heart happy and strong for a lifetime.

About the Practice

Bear Creek Family Dentistry delivers effective and comfortable oral health treatments to the community of Dallas Texas. Led by an experienced and compassionate team of general dentists and specialists, the staff ensures each patient receives effective care in a friendly and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include adult and children’s general and emergency dentistry as well as orthodontics. For more information on how your oral health can affect the rest of your body, contact the office online or dial (972) 490-1600.