How could your dental and heart health ever be connected? Well, according to new research conducted in England, there is a rather strong connection between the ways you care for your pearly whites and your chance of suffering a heart attack.
Image: maen_cg / freedigitalphotos.net The study, conducted by the Scottish Health Survey, examined over 11,000 individuals of all ages to identify a possible correlation between dental and heart health. Along with information on their dental bill of health, the subjects were asked to provide information about their other lifestyle habits, such as smoking, physical activity, and health routines. Of the group, about 62 percent said they visited the dentist every six months, and another 71 percent said that they brushed their teeth twice a day. This information lead the researchers to conclude that those that admitted to brushing their teeth less frequently had an extra 70 percent risk of heart disease or heart attack. "Our results confirmed and further strengthened the suggested association between oral hygiene and the risk of cardiovascular disease," says Richard Watt DDS from the University College London. According to the researchers, the results of the study were not entirely surprising, but rather confirmation of a decade-long hypothesis on the connection between dental diseases and cardiovascular health. In yet another study conducted in the United States, it was found that as people's gum health decreased, so did the rate at which plaque built up in their arteries. This study showed that the chances of contracting a dangerous condition called atherosclerosis, or the narrowing of the arteries around the heart, decreased when subjects brushed their teeth and had a clean bill of gum and oral health. Image: khunaspix/ freedigitalphotos.net But scientifically, how are gum disease and heart disease connected? The bacteria that develops in your mouth when you have gum disease contributes to atherosclerosis in that it adds to the level of inflammation of the arteries and triggering a biological reaction that narrows space these important passage ways. Once you have atherosclerosis, your chances mild to certain that you will experience a heart attack and possibly even stroke. So the next time you worry about your visit to the dentist, or need a reason to floss your teeth, remember that caring for your oral and gum health properly could dramatically decrease your chances of heart disease and other serious conditions. Make brushing and flossing a regular habit, and you are sure to be on the way to a heart-healthy and happy self! |
These Bodily Functions Are Beyond Our Power
Do you know why we experience these bodily functions? Find out here!
Science Shows That Touching is Vital For Your Well-Being
Touching is vital for human development in children, and it's also vital for the strength of familial and romantic relationships. Learn more here.
9 Ways You Can Treat Fungal Infections at Home
If you suffer from some of these symptoms, there are a number of home remedies that can easily treat fungal infections.
9 Warning Signs You're Developing a Blood Clot
What are the warning signs of a blood clot? Give this article a good read and find out all about them.
Worried About Your Posture? Try These 3 Simple Exercises
Since we sit in front of computers for so many hours each day, it's easy to get a hunchback posture. Improve it by performing these quick exercises!
The Natural Way of Removing Warts At Home
Use one of these easy natural methods to remove the invading wart from your body!
This Infograph Gives Terrific Info on Fruits and Veggies
This chart should be printed and hanged in every kitchen in the world.
How Can You Tell a Common Cold Infection from Influenza?
The common cold is among the most prevalent virus infections in the world. What's the best way to treat it?
10 Most Frequent Misdiagnoses Made by Doctors
In the US, 1 out of every 20 adults are misdiagnosed. Here are 10 conditions that are commonly missed or mistaken for something else!
Do You Really Need to Walk 10K Steps Every Day?
The 10,000 steps a day myth is ingrained in our minds. In this post, Harvard professor Dan Lieberman explains why it's not as black-and-white as it seems.
Study: Can Our Sense of Time Heal Us Faster?
A recent groundbreaking study delves into how our perception of time can significantly impact the physical process of healing.
Does Our Stomach SHRINK When We Eat Less? Our Answer
Eat less, and your stomach will shrink over time.. is that the truth?
4 Simple Exercises to Reduce Vertigo and Dizziness
If you are suffering from vertigo or unexplained dizziness, try these simple exercises to relieve the annoying and unbearable spinning sensation.
MUST WATCH: Full-Body Chair Workout Guide for Seniors
This full chair workout for seniors covers every area of your body!
Can Exercise Really Stop Heart Attacks?
Find out some of the best ways to prevent and reduce a risk of having a heart attack.
10 Recipes for Health Boosting, Natural Smoothies
Learn easy recipes for super-healthy smoothies you can whip out in no time.
WARNING: Who Shouldn't Consume Turmeric? Find Out Here
Discover more about who shouldn't consume turmeric or curcumin in this video:
Doing This for 5 Minutes Can Lower Your Blood Pressure!
These simple and effective exercises will help lower your blood pressure almost immediately.
6 NATURAL Ways to Treat Swollen Feet & Ankles
Swelling in your feet and ankles can lead to a variety of complications. Here’s how you can get rid of the naturally.
The Symptoms of a Fatty Liver and How to Treat it!
Fatty deposits on your liver can seriously hinder its function. In this video, Dr. Berg explains the symptoms of a fatty liver and how to treat it.
If You're Not Using Sunscreen, After This Video You Will
This fantastic video shows you how your skin looks in UV light, revealing future sun-damage to it.
How Much Fruit is TOO Much for Your Health?
Fruits are healthy, but is there a thing as eating too much of them? Watch out for these signs.
You Are What You Eat: How Foods You Eat Affect Your Mood
In recent years we discovered how incredibly important a good diet is in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Here's how it works.
Watch 20 Doctors Give Their Best Health Tip
20 top doctors, each an expert in a different medical field, all sharing one valuable health tip - packaged neatly into a single, convenient video
Owning a Cat Can Do Wonders For Your Health!
Pet ownership, especially cat ownership, can improve the quality of a person's life. Here are 10 health benefits of owning a cat.
The Amazing Anti-Diabetic Tea You Never Knew About
Looking for a natural way to lower your blood sugar levels? Try this wonderful tea recipe.
Gasp! 17 Surprising Facts About Your Lungs You Never Knew
Watch pulmonologist Dr. Ravi Kalhan answer some really interesting questions about our lungs.
12 Superfoods That Burn the Fat Off Your Diet!
These great superfoods should be part of everyone's meal!
Looking at Caffeine, Shampoo and Rosemary for Hair Growth
Looking at the real research done behind these ingredients helps us see which really help and which still needs more research to know if they are effective on humans.
9 Things Your Fingernails Can Tell You About Your Health
This video delves into nine revealing aspects of your fingernails that could signal important information about your health.
Five Habits that Secretly Cause Heartburn
Learn everyday habits that may seem harmless and insignificant but could actually exacerbate the condition and make heartburn unbearable.
3 Ways to Get Rid of Heartburn WITHOUT Using Antacids
Struggling with acidity and heartburn issues? These tips will help.
Melt Away Neck Pain and Tension Headaches With These Tips!
Tension at the base of the neck is a common cause of tension headaches, neck pain, and many other issues. Let these 3 exercises help you in just a few minutes!
Yoga for Chronic Pain: Gentle Practice to Soothe and Calm
25 minute yoga tutorial you can follow from home that will help you function better on the day to day if you are suffering from chronic pain
Full Documentary: What Does It Mean to Be Morbidly Obese?
Looking into the life of an obese person from both a medical and psychological point of view, this video isn't one to miss!
10 Healing Scents That Can Do Wonders for Body and Mind
Smell evokes memories and happy memories but there’s more to scent than nostalgia. Smell offers many benefits for your body and mind.
Ear Check: How Old is Your Hearing?
Try this handy and quick hearing test to see if your hearing is impaired, old for your age or younger than you!
Massage These 3 Points if You Have High Blood Pressure
While high blood pressure is caused by a variety of things, its most common cause is hypertension. Reduce your high blood pressure by using the ancient technique of acupressure.
This Little Piece of Plastic Does Wonders For Your Feet
As we age, our toes tend to cram together. Spacing them promotes blood flow and prevents pain!
Lose Weight by Using This Japanese Breathing Technique
This extraordinary deep-breathing weight-loss technique is known as the Japanese breathing technique to losing weight.
Unusual Signs of Vitamin B3 Deficiency You Mustn't Ignore
You may not realize you have Vitamin B3 deficiency!
The Added Benefits of Walking No One Told You Before
We all know walking is good for our health. But we bet you didn’t know about these little-known benefits of the activity.
How to Fix Your Sleep Schedule – Science-Backed Facts
Find out how your circadian system functions as an internal clock to keep your body running.
If You Eat These 9 Fish Regularly, You Should Stop!
We are always told how fish is healthy, but there are actually some types of fish that'll do more harm than good. Here are nine of them!
An Ancient Chinese Story with a Lovely Moral
This beautiful Chinese tale tells the story of a maid and how she learned respect for her mother-in-law
How to Cope With Back and Sciatic Pain While Driving
Take note of these tips to cope with back, neck, and sciatic pain while driving.
Alleviate Your Sciatica Symptoms Using 6 Simple Exercises
Sciatica can be horrendously painful, but there are numerous exercises you can do in order to alleviate your symptoms. Try the 6 I'm about to show you.