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For International Women’s Day save on our at-home tests designed for women’s health.
For International Women’s Day save on our at-home tests designed for women’s health.
Flossing and general oral hygiene care appear on various recommendation lists when looking for unexpected ways to improve heart health. This is due to the various research studies conducted to prove (and disprove) the link between oral health and heart health.
Some research claims that people with good dental habits have corresponding heart health and those with issues like gum disease have a higher likelihood of heart disease.1 Similar studies found that routine dental care could reduce your risk of heart failure and that poor oral health in the elderly impacts their lifespan.23
More recent studies pointed to the contrary, concluding that there is no direct link between the two, though there may be associations.4 Any apparent connection likely has to do with other factors, like how someone who pays special attention to their oral health is more likely to do the same for their heart health and vice versa.5
Even if the connection is debatable, proper oral hygiene is good for an individual's overall health, which in turn, does benefit your heart.6 The overall benefits of regular dental care include managing the bacteria and inflammation in your mouth and reducing your risk of periodontal diseases.7
The relationship between oral and heart health aside, other health benefits make regular brushing, flossing and checkups worth it.
If you are looking for other ways to prevent heart disease, another tip on most lists is to get regular screenings.8 Know when to make significant lifestyle changes by closely monitoring your total cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose. Screen for diabetes and measure your cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammation with imaware's at-home Baseline Heart Health Test.
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