The importance of oral hygiene has never been more clear: healthy teeth and gums are tied directly to our overall health including heart disease, pregnancy complications, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other serious issues. Quite often, a dentist can spot a condition before a patient knows about it, because teeth and gums can tell quite a story. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gum disease, or periodontitis, is the second most common oral disease worldwide, after tooth decay. As many as half of all Americans suffer from it, and 5 to 10 percent have severe forms. Because periodontal disease causes chronic inflammation, it is thought to play a role in other inflammatory and chronic diseases.
People with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer
from coronary artery disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can enter the blood stream,
attaching to fatty plaques in the heart's blood vessels, eventually
causing clot formation. Another is that inflammation in the gums
contributes to swelling in the arteries. There also appears to be a
higher rate of gum disease among stroke victims.
Plaque is the culprit and it starts in the mouth. How can you prevent plaque build-up in your mouth? Easy . . . brushing, flossing and regular trips to Mint! Doctor Harrison and Doctor Kweik can not only make your smile more beautiful, but over the years help you avoid serious dental issues than can threaten your overall health.
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Serving The Following Texas Cities:
Dallas TX • Highland park TX • Arlington TX • Richardson TX • Fort Worth TX
Address: Hotel Palomar, East Mockingbird, Suite 120 • Dallas, TX 75206 • Phone: 214-821-MINT
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