Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases through Proper Oral Health Services Tucson AZ Dentists Offer

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are considered the leading causes of death worldwide. Seventeen million died from various forms of CVD in 2008, with an estimated 80 percent of deaths coming from low- to middle-income countries. According to experts from the Arizona Department of Health Services, heart disease and stroke is the number one cause of death in the state. To protect your family, reliable Tucson AZ dentists help prevent CVD through proper dental and oral healthcare.

Cardiovascular Diseases in Arizona

An Arizona study shows that CVD accounts for 37.5 percent of deaths among the state’s residents. It includes 23 percent from coronary heart disease, 6.2 percent from stroke, and eight percent from other forms of CVD. Though the mortality trend has reduced from 1980 to 2004 for both men and women, deaths from CVD still affect people of all age groups and ethnicities.

Among the top CVD are coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. High blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart diseases also affect thousands in Arizona. Such diseases lay heavy health and economic burdens on people. Heart disease and stroke alone cost $368 billion in 2004, a figure 17 billion more than the 2003 data. With such costs, it helps to better understand the risk factors involved in CVD and thus protect yourself and your loved ones against developing various forms of CVD.

Linking CVD and Oral Health

Smoking, obesity, and diet are considered risk factors for CVD. According to research, however, oral and dental health can also affect people’s cardiovascular health. A recent Taiwanese study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions found that professional oral and dental prophylaxis or cleaning is associated with fewer heart attack and strokes. Having your teeth cleaned by a licensed Tucson AZ dentist is therefore beneficial to your heart.

In the said longitudinal study, participants who had their teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist had a 24 percent lower risk for heart attack and 13 percent lower risk of stroke compared to those who never received dental cleaning. None of the participants were said to have a history of heart attack or stroke when the study was commenced. According to the study, professional teeth cleaning reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth that leads to some forms of CVD.

Regular Dental Visit

With these data, healthcare experts thus recommend yearly dental visits to reduce the risks and incidence of CVD. During a dental visit, you can also ask about dental treatments and services like root canals, Invisalign, or six-month braces Tucson dentists like Dr. Brian Midei provide. Monitoring your oral and dental health can help protect your heart against diseases.