Here’s a little extra motivation to get you to our office for a dental evaluation.
A new dental health study suggests women who get dental care on a regular basis reduce their risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems by at least one-third!
“Many studies have found associations between dental care and cardiovascular disease, but our study is the first to show that general dental care leads to fewer heart attacks, strokes, and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes in a causal way,” writes Timothy Brown, lead author of the study.
The downside?
The analysis did not find a similar benefit for men – and here’s why.
“The findings reflect differences in how men and women develop cardiovascular disease,” says co-author Dr. Stephen Brown, a first-year obstetrician/gynecologist resident at the West Virginia University Charleston Division School of Medicine. “Other studies suggest that estrogen has a protective effect against heart disease because it helps prevent the development of atherosclerosis. It’s not until women hit menopause around age 50 to 55 that they start catching up with men.”
This is not to say men don’t have to take care of their teeth or visit us regularly. Dental care – or lack thereof – has been linked to prostrate problems and higher PSA scores in men.
The bottom line here: Dental health – both in men and women – can impact overall health. Take care of your teeth. Visit our office at least twice a year. Brush and floss daily. And, if you wear dentures, make sure they stay clean to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup.
