February is heart health month and, while Valentine’s Day is over, there are still a few matters of the heart at hand.
Studies show there are increasing connections between dental health and your overall health. One of the strongest connections is between heart disease and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is infection and inflammation of the gums and bones around the teeth, caused by bacteria in dental plaque. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease and only affects the gums. In severe cases, oftentimes the gums will pull away from the teeth, bone is lost and teeth loosen and eventually fall out.