Today, February 14th, we celebrate love, Valentine's Day, as we all know, but taking advantage of the fact that this date is linked to the heart, our vital engine, did you know that it also commemorates Congenital Heart Disease Day?
And did you know that oral health can play a key role in preventing cardiovascular complications?
The connection between oral health and congenital heart disease
Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory gum disease, not only affects the oral cavity and its soft tissues, but can also induce a systemic inflammatory response. Research published in the Journal of Periodontology have shown that patients with periodontitis have a 25% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those with optimal oral health.
In addition, some clinical guidelines, such as those recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA), have been emphasising for almost 10 years the need to maintain good oral hygiene habits to reduce the risk of heart disease. infectious edocarditis. A chronic type of inflation - such as periodontitis - that favours the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and facilitates bacteraemia that can aggravate cardiac conditions, especially in cases such as those of people with congenital heart disease, like the one we are dealing with today.
This extends to the paediatric population, i.e. children.
The importance of a holistic approach
As we have already mentioned on several occasions, most recently last week in our article entitled "....Is there a link between dental health and obesity?"It is essential to understand the human body as a whole rather than as separate systems, which forces us and other dental practices to take a holistic approach to educating patients about the importance of oral health. Rigorous oral hygiene habits - brushing three times a day, flossing at least once a day and regular check-ups at our dentist - can reduce the impact of systemic diseases in the long term.
