According to the Spanish Society of Cardiology, In 2020, 119,853 people died from cardiovascular diseases in Spainwhich represents an increase of almost 3% compared to 2019. According to data from the Main Council of Dentists, it is the second most common cause of death in our country.
Scientific evidence confirms this poor oral health increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Tooth loss has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of heart failure, atherosclerotic pathology (accumulation of fat, cholesterol and other substances inside the arteries) and mortality from cardiac causes. In fact, tooth loss is an indicator of oral decay as a result of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Speaking of periodontal disease, as stated in the Atlas of Oral Health in Spain, periodontal disease is associated with systemic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and some complications during pregnancy. oral bacteria are the main cause of this disease, because “enter the bloodstream and can cause an inflammatory response in the body, damaging the artery wall and facilitating the formation of plaque that clogs the arteries and leads to cardiovascular disease”, explains the president of the Main Council of Dentists, Dr. Óscar Castro Reino.
The importance of a healthy diet
healthy diet, little sugar, salt and fathelps reduce the risk of oral diseases, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases.
Some of the measures included in the Atlas of Oral Health in Spain to achieve this goal include:
- Restriction on unhealthy food productsprohibiting its consumption in the school environment.
- Regulation of advertising of this type of productas well as the regulation of its labeling in order to facilitate properly informed food choices.
- Promote breastfeeding following the recommendations of the World Health Organization to improve nutrition and growth.
- Promote natural and local products with good nutritional values compared to the use of processed food.
In addition to following a healthy diet, you must have proper oral hygiene To remove plaque, brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss or an interdental brush.
It is also important to go for regular check-ups with a dentist – who will detect any oral pathology and prescribe appropriate treatment – as well as avoid other risk factors such as alcohol and tobacco.