Yet another reason why dental visits are SO important!
According to new research, going to the dentist doesn’t only help your teeth stay healthy…it also reduces your chances of suffering from both heart attack and stroke!
Here’s what study author Dr. Zu-Yin Chen had to say about it:
“We knew that dental health contributed to heart attack and stroke, but didn’t know that tooth scaling would have more effect on other places in the body and not just the teeth and mouth — especially not in subjects that did not have dental problems.”
Chen believes that “chronic inflammation” is the most likely association between poor dental health and heart attack/stroke. She also has said that “teeth scaling reduces inflammation-causing bacteria and improves blood vessel function, thus keeping blood flowing properly.”
While a 100% definitive link hasn’t been made between dental hygiene and heart attack/stroke, this is definitely something to think about for those of U out there who have been delaying that trip to the dentist!
Make those appointments!
[Image via WENN.]