DENTAL HEALTH AFFECTS YOUR WHOLE BODY INFLAMMATION LEVELS

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver when there is inflammation present in the body. It is very important to keep track of your CRP levels and to try to keep them low, as it is with your cholesterol levels, in order to monitor and manage inflammation in the body. Inflammation in the body can denote pressing health issues, such as heart disease, and though this is well known within the medical community, what we are now learning is the connection between oral health and CRP levels.
Inflammation is the body’s response to stress, infections, and injury, and it also acts as the means to protect and heal the body against said issues. When inflammation becomes severe, health issues arise that can become difficult to manage or treat. As Body & Health Canada explains, CRP is measured via a blood test, called an hs-CRP, a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a test which can help your doctor determine your level of inflammation and risk for heart disease and related issues, such as heart attacks and stroke. The higher the individual’s hs-CRP levels, the greater the risk for these complications. Because what recent research is revealing, it is vitally important for your general practitioner to know about your dental health, as they can determine how this relates to your CRP levels.
One of the main components of poor oral hygiene is gum disease, which, though preventable, is often left untreated. Due to that fact that gums in poor health are painful and inflamed, the body’s CRP levels are raised, and a slew of health issues can be triggered as a result. For example, periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of the gums, causes oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream, prompting the liver to release CRP, which can then inflame arteries and create harmful blood clots. Because of this relatively straight-forward trajectory, researchers believe that it is high levels of CRP that is the underlying link between gum disease and the heightened risk for heart disease.

PREVENTION

There are many ways to prevent your CRP levels from becoming an issue and causing major health concerns. It is this article’s main intention to shed light on the importance of oral health in relation to the body’s CRP. Protecting teeth and gums from infection is paramount, which can be achieved through daily tooth brushing and flossing. Just as maintaining a healthy weight is important to keeping cholesterol levels down, so is keeping gums healthy essential to keeping CRP levels lowered. However, the best tool to combat high CRP levels is awareness; knowing the risks of not protecting their teeth and gums will compel individuals to act. Good oral hygiene is the foundation of good health. Your body, and, in particular, your inflammation induced CRP levels, will thank you for your knowledge and diligence.
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