Orthodontist Washington DC Can Tooth Decay Cause Heart Disease?

Tooth decay is a disease of the mouth that will cause serious damage and harm to the teeth. Tooth decay can form as bacteria in the mouth feeds on sugars left on the teeth from food particles. These sugars in the mouth will be converted into lactic acid, which will start to harm the teeth and cause cavities. This entire process causes serious affects in tooth decay, which many medical professionals have connected to heart disease.

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When bacteria begins to feed on the teeth and cause decay, it can also create blood clots found in arteries. This can be a fatal issue if the blood clots are released into the bloodstream, which will cause a heart attack.  Another issue is that as plaque forms on the teeth, it will cause the gums to become inflamed.  This effect causes the blood vessels to inflame in the mouth, so that the plaque will start to affect the arteries.  If a person were to have a very serious case of tooth decay, it could also start to cause pain in their chest or left arm, which would be the symptoms of a heart attack. If you are suffering from tooth decay, it is highly important to take it seriously, especially if you have symptoms of a heart attack.

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Scientists have also discovered that genetics play a role between heart disease and tooth decay. If your gums are firm and pink, this is a sign that they are healthy.  If your gums are red or swollen and bleeding, that is a sign of diseased gums. Other common gum diseases can be related to heart disease, including gingivitis.  Gingivitis causes a gap between the teeth and gums caused by bacteria.  The main symptom of this form of gum disease is redness, bleeding, and swelling. Another similar gum disorder is caused if the wisdom teeth do not completely come out of the gums, which will cause a gap. This can allow food particles to buildup in these gaps, which will cause tooth decay and pain. If this condition is not treated, the cheeks and neck can swell.  If this is left further untreated, it could result in periodontitis, where the root of the teeth are affected. The end result of this will be receding gums and damage to the bones in the mouth.

Some of the most common symptoms of tooth decay occur slowly, such as having a toothache due to irritation. Other symptoms may include having a hard time eating sweet or hard foods, including hot and cold sensitivity. Other symptoms of tooth decay is if the tooth hurts when pressure is put on it, or if the individual has bad breath. If there are any black, brown, or yellow spots on the teeth, that is also a symptom of tooth decay.

If any of these symptoms occur, it is very important to consult your dentist right away to make sure that the problem can be treated. This will protect you from being at risk for heart disease because of tooth decay.

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