Men: Take Care of Your Teeth to Protect Your Heart
Taking care of your teeth and gums does more than give you a nice smile. It can also help keep your heart healthy.
How Are Your Teeth and Heart Connected?
If you don’t brush or floss your teeth, bacteria (germs) can build up in your mouth. This can lead to gum disease. Your gums may get red, swollen, or bleed when you brush. If gum disease gets worse, the germs can enter your blood and cause problems in other parts of your body—like your heart.
Men already have a higher chance of getting heart disease. Gum disease can make that risk even higher.
What the Numbers Say
- Over half of men have gum disease.
- Men go to the dentist less often than women.
- Gum disease can happen without pain, so you might not know you have it.
How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy
The good news? You can protect your teeth, gums, and heart by following a few simple steps:
- Brush your teeth two times a day for two minutes.
- Floss every day to clean between your teeth.
- Visit the dentist at least once a year (twice is better).
- Watch for signs like bleeding gums, bad breath, or tooth pain—and don’t ignore them.
If you already have health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s even more important to care for your mouth.
Why This Matters
A healthy mouth helps your whole body. When you take care of your teeth, you may also lower your risk for heart disease. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay healthy.
🦷 Need a Dentist? We’re Here to Help
Primary Health Care offers dental care for everyone—including cleanings, check-ups, fillings, and more. We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid. Don’t have insurance? Don’t worry. We use a sliding fee scale based on your income, and no one is turned away because they can’t pay.
Whether it’s been six months or six years since your last visit, now is a great time to come in. Taking care of your teeth helps protect your whole body—including your heart.
👉 Learn more or make an appointment today: phciowa.org/dental
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