I can’t count the number of times my patients ask me “How do you look in people’s mouths all day?” My most common answer, “It’s better than looking at feet.” In truth the feet harbor considerably fewer “bad things” than your mouth.

I guess people are right; the mouth is a disgusting place. Millions of bacteria, viruses and fungus live there. Makes your “New Year’s kiss” a little less appealing doesn’t it? So is there a connection between your mouth and your body? Absolutely!

In the past physicians considered the mouth as the “other place” of the body, and the teeth just got in the way. Swollen gums, tooth loss or horrendous breath had no connection to your body’s health, but today we know better.

So let’s get to the point. Your heart and your mouth, where’s the connection? We have all heard the terms “gingivitis” and “periodontitis,” right? Maybe not. They are just Latin words like all medical terms used to make doctors and scientists sound smart. “Gingiva” means gums, “vitis” means inflammation, thus “inflamed gums.”

“Peri” means around. “Dontal” means teeth. So periodontitis is “inflammation around the teeth.” What exactly causes this? The enemy is plaque. A word you might have heard in Crest commercials. Plaque is a film of bacteria that attaches to teeth and gums. This can cause irritation of the tissues that support your teeth. Irritation leads to inflammation, bleeding and loss of supporting gum and bone surrounding the teeth.

The plaque that is not completely removed over time will harden to form calculus or tarter which it is more commonly known. The bacteria associated with the plaque create toxins. The only way to remove this tarter is to have your teeth cleaned at a dental office. Over time if left untreated it may lead to tooth loss.

Periodontal disease is often not painful (until a tooth abscesses) so you might be unaware of the problem. Patients will often say, “But my tooth doesn’t hurt.” Neither does a heart attack (many times) until you have one. It is estimated that 80 percent of people in the United States have some form of gum disease.

So again what does this have to do with my heart? What causes heart disease? Plaque buildup in arteriole walls, very similar plaque to the plaque in your mouth. Coincidence, I think not. If someone has the tendency to build excess plaque in their mouth it has been shown that there is a tendency to build plaque in the arteries as well.

According to the Feb. 7, 2002 issue of Journal of Periodontology, a study found that “diseased gums released significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory components, such as endotoxins ... and trigger the liver to make C-reactive proteins, which are a predictor for increased risk of cardiovascular disease.” So a sick mouth gives you a sick body. It’s that simple.

Now that I’ve gotten you scared let’s go back to gum disease. Let’s look at the risk factors for gum disease. They are similar to the risk factors for heart disease. A few risk factors include smoking (No. 1), diabetes, stress, genetic susceptibility, illness (such as cancer), hormonal changes in women, poor nutrition, and some medications that affect saliva flow.

What are the signs of gum disease? Some of the most common signs include bleeding gums, swollen and tender gums, persistent bad breath, loose or separating teeth, and pus between teeth. How can you prevent gum disease? I heard a saying once “Just floss the ones you want to keep.” Flossing is the most important thing you can do in the prevention of gum disease. It’s really not that bad.

Rumor was that Jerry Seinfield flossed his teeth over six times a day, however, once a day is good enough. Don’t get me wrong. Brushing your teeth is important, but your toothbrush can not get between your teeth to remove plaque properly. Regular visits to your dentist are also important. I had to mention that.

The No. 1 quote heard in dental offices around the country is, “I have nothing against you. I just hate dentists. No offense.” We’re not offended. I know going to the dentist is not the most enjoyable thing to do or they wouldn’t say, “It’s about as much fun as having a root canal.”

However, I do encourage you to find a dentist or group of dentists with whom you feel comfortable, because going to the dentist regularly just might save your life.