You may have heard that your oral health can have an impact on your cardiovascular health. As such, if you’re thinking of getting dental implants to replace any teeth you’ve lost, you might find yourself wondering if the procedure could have any effect on your heart. Here’s what you should know about the relationship between dental implants and the well-being of your heart before you make any decisions about rebuilding your smile.
How Losing Teeth Can Affect Your Heart Health
Missing teeth can contribute to heart issues in a few different ways. For one thing, people who have lost at least one tooth are more likely to develop gum disease. This is significant because untreated gum disease can ultimately increase your risk for heart problems due to harmful oral bacteria entering the bloodstream. On top of that, missing teeth can limit your diet by making it difficult to eat certain foods. As such, you may find it harder to get the nutrition you need to maintain a healthy heart.
Can Dental Implants Improve Your Heart Health?
Dental implants won’t make existing heart issues go away, but they can nevertheless prove beneficial for your cardiovascular health. Replacing your missing teeth will make it easier to clean your smile properly. This can help reduce your risk for gum disease, thereby protecting your heart as well. Furthermore, dental implants restore your ability to eat virtually anything you want, which makes it much easier to maintain dietary habits that are good for your heart.
Can You Get Dental Implants Even If You Have Heart Problems?
As long as the right precautions are taken, dental implants can still be a safe option even for individuals with heart conditions. Before you commit to the treatment, your dentist will thoroughly review your health history and take note of the factors that can influence your candidacy for dental implant surgery, including bleeding risks and anesthesia tolerance.
Depending on the nature of your overall health situation, some precautions may need to be taken to minimize your risk of complications during dental implant placement. For instance, you may be told to take antibiotics to lower the chances of developing an infection. Rest assured that your dentist will work closely with your cardiologist and your primary doctor to make sure that you stay safe throughout every step of the dental implant process.
Getting dental implants can prove to be a smart choice for your smile as well as your heart. Talk to your dentist today if you’re interested in taking the first step of the dental implant process.
About the Author
Dr. Ryan Johnson earned his dental degree at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. He is fully dedicated to expanding his already impressive skillset through continuing education. At Jacksonville Dental Excellence, he helps patients rebuild their smiles with start-to-finish dental implant procedures. If you think you might be a candidate for dental implants, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson by visiting his website or calling (904) 895-4536.