Not only does brushing your teeth allow for minty fresh breath and a nice clean smile, it also prevents periodontal diseases. Periodontal disease more commonly known as gum disease affects the gum around the teeth that acts as support. It is commonly caused by the accumulation of plaque or tartar which irritate the gums. Those with gum disease commonly have bleeding gum while those with severe cases experience loss of gum, bone, and even teeth. Periodontal disease is one of the most unrecognized diseases given that it affects about half of the US population. It also affects more men than women, affecting 57% of men in the US compared to only 38% women (Eke, Dye, Wei, Thornton-Evans, & Genco, 2012). A plausible reason why this occurs based on research is that men have a more heighten immune response …show more content…
Heart Disease
There is research that suggests that periodontal disease increases the risk for heart disease. Heart disease or cardiovascular disease is when the blood vessels are blocked or narrowed which disrupt blood flow (Staff, 2014). It can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
A survey done by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that men younger than 50 with periodontal disease were 72% more likely to develop heart disease than men who didn’t have any gum disease (Ryan T. Demmer, 2006).
The possible association is that one of the bacteria, P.gingivalis, which causes periodontal disease, is capable of causing plaque buildup in the arteries (Atherosclerosis) (Ryan T. Demmer, 2006). And if plaque buildup occurs in the coronary artery it will interrupt the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Living with heart disease involves heart pains, shortness of breath, and constant fatigue. And unfortunately, there is no easy fix besides changing one lifestyle including diet, exercise, and dental hygiene.

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