Research has shown your oral health has a direct impact on your cardiovascular health. Your dentist in Fort Lauderdale wants you to know that when you brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist for your twice yearly dental cleaning and exam you are taking the right steps to protect not only your smile but also your heart. Without daily brushing and flossing, a biofilm known as plaque is left on teeth and can irritate gums causing them to become inflammed (gingivitis). Over time, plaque build-up causes the gums to recede from the tooth creating a pocket between your gum and your tooth where bacteria can infiltrate your bloodstream (periodontitis) where it can cause inflammation in the heart’s vessels and infection in heart valves. People with periodontal disease have two to three times the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular event.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, "Periodontal disease increases the body's burden of inflammation," says periodontist Dr. Hatice Hasturk of the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute, a not-for-profit research organization focused on oral health. Acute inflammation — which involves an outpouring of immune cells that attack irritants and microbial invaders — fosters healing over the short term. But long-term (chronic) inflammation is a key contributor to many health problems, especially atherosclerosis."
The great news is that your can prevent and treat gum disease, gingivitis, with a daily home oral healthcare routine and regular visits to your Fort Lauderdale dentist and dental hygienist. It is important to find a dental provider nearby that you visit regularly.
Dr. Nancy Rotroff and Dr. Gerard Wasselle encourage our patients to practice a thorough oral hygiene routine - brush for two mintues twice daily and floss daily! Because inflammation caused by gum disease can compound heart health complicaitons, for our patients with heart disease, we strongly encourage extra vigilance in your oral health care and visits to your dental hygienist. Even if you do not have heart disease, it is still important to have regular dental cleanings as part of your long-term health care. At Excellence in Dentistry, our dental providers practice cosmetic and general dentistry so you can have all your dental work completed in one location.
If it has been more than six months since your last professional dental cleaning, it is time to schedule an appointment to visit our dental office for your next cleaning and exam! Don't just search the internet for "top rated dentist offices near me", select the best dentist in Florida! See what our patients are saying about Excellence in Dentistry, then call 954-928-1666 to schedule your appointment today! Our office is conveniently located at 2480 E. Commercial Boulevard between Bayview Drive and Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.
We accept PPO insurances and are a Metlife dental provider, Aetna dental provider, Cigna dental provider, Humana dental provider, Guardian dental provider and Ameritas dental provider among others.
