Heart Disease
There is a likely link between heart disease and oral health.
Poor oral hygiene appears to not only increase the risk of heart disease, it can also cause your condition to worsen once you’re diagnosed with heart disease.
If you’re at risk for or living with heart disease, it’s essential that you work in partnership with your dentist to initiate and maintain a healthy mouth. Regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings, as well as good oral hygiene habits at home, are called for. People with prosthetic heart valves, a past history of endocarditis, congenital cardiac malformations, damaged heart valves, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – among other heart problems – should make sure your dentist knows that you have a heart problem.
Please provide your dentist with your physician’s contact information, and be prepared to give permission for your dentist to consult your doctor about the nature of your heart problem. Also, tell your dentist about any medications you’re currently taking, and follow carefully your physician’s and dentist’s instructions regarding prescription medications such as antibiotics.