Did you know there is a well-established association between poor oral hygiene and heart disease?
Medical News Today reported on research from the University of Bristol, UK, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, that poor dental hygiene, causing bleeding gums, could be increasing the risk of heart disease. Bacteria from the mouth are able to enter the bloodstream and stick to platelets, which can then form blood clots. And we know what happens then: The flow of blood is interrupted, triggering a heart attack.
The Bristol researchers investigated how the bacteria interact with platelets. More than 700 different types of bacteria mimic the pressure inside the blood vessels and the heart. They found that the bacteria use the platelets as a defense mechanism. When the platelets clump together, the bacteria become completely surrounded. This “armor” shields the bacteria from attack by immune cells. It renders them less detectable to antibiotics.
Good dental hygiene is perhaps one of the easiest and most important preventive measures for lowering risk of heart disease, not to mention a variety of other conditions. Good dental care can be expensive in the USA and Canada. Come to Costa Rica for your dental care and save more than 50% when compared to dental care prices in North America.
To learn more, fill out the “Help Me Find a Dentist” form on this page. One of our team members will contact you to discuss your dental needs and how you can save money in Costa Rica.