Brush Your Teeth!

 ... and reduce the risk of heart attack!

We already knew that maintaining a high level of oral hygiene is good for your teeth.

But at Columbia University in America, they have discovered that brushing your teeth also helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Researchers analysed  

in

of 657 

Also noted the thickness of  

Carries blood from the 

 

to the 

The width of this artery is a good indication of arteriosclerosis when cholesterol or other substances nestle in the walls of the carotid artery. 

When this happens, the blood flow can be affected and even stop.

So, did the researchers find a connection between oral hygiene and healthy arteries?

The more bacteria a gum infection creates, the thicker the carotid artery. 

That means the increase in stroke or heart attack. 

The researchers suspect that the bacteria travel through the body from the mouth via the blood and cause infections which close the arteries. 

How to avoid this?

1. Good brushing

2. Flossing

References

Rik Kuiper and Tony Mudde. 2010. Summersdale Publishers Ltd.

https://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-carotid-artery 

Shared by Norhidayah Alias

Guest Blogger