The Hidden Connection Between Oral Health and Heart Disease

Danny • January 20, 2026

When most people think about oral health, they imagine bright smiles, fresh breath, and avoiding cavities. Few realize that the health of your mouth is intimately connected to the health of your heart and cardiovascular system. At Lamprey Dental , we believe in educating our patients about the whole-body implications of oral health, because understanding these connections empowers you to make better decisions for your overall wellbeing.

Research over the past two decades has revealed compelling evidence linking periodontal disease—chronic inflammation and infection of the gums—to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes. This isn't coincidental. The mouth serves as a gateway to the rest of your body, and bacteria from infected gums can enter your bloodstream, triggering inflammatory responses that affect your heart and blood vessels. The relationship between oral health and heart disease represents one of the most significant discoveries in modern medicine, fundamentally changing how we understand preventive healthcare.

Understanding the Oral-Systemic Health Connection

Your mouth contains hundreds of species of bacteria, most of which are harmless or even beneficial. However, when oral hygiene deteriorates and gum disease develops, harmful bacteria proliferate and create chronic infection in your gums. This infection doesn't stay confined to your mouth—it becomes a systemic issue that affects your entire body.

Gum disease begins as gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen, bleeding gums. Without intervention, it progresses to periodontitis, where bacteria invade deeper tissues and begin destroying the bone that supports your teeth. During this process, bacteria enter your bloodstream through the inflamed gum tissues. Every time you chew, brush, or floss with diseased gums, you potentially introduce bacteria into your circulatory system. This phenomenon, called bacteremia, allows oral pathogens to travel throughout your body and colonize distant sites, including your heart.

Once in the bloodstream, these bacteria trigger your immune system's inflammatory response. Your body releases inflammatory chemicals called cytokines to fight the infection. While this response protects you from acute harm, chronic inflammation from ongoing gum disease causes collateral damage to your cardiovascular system. Inflammation contributes to atherosclerosis—the buildup of fatty plaques in artery walls—which narrows blood vessels and restricts blood flow to your heart and brain.

Studies have identified specific oral bacteria, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus sanguis, in atherosclerotic plaques removed from patients' arteries. This direct evidence confirms that bacteria from your mouth can indeed reach your heart and contribute to cardiovascular disease. The presence of these pathogens in arterial plaques isn't merely incidental—research suggests they actively participate in the disease process, promoting inflammation and plaque instability.

The Statistics Behind the Connection

The statistical correlation between gum disease and heart disease is striking and well-documented across numerous large-scale studies. People with periodontal disease face a 20-30% higher risk of coronary artery disease compared to those with healthy gums, even after researchers control for other risk factors like smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure. This independent association suggests that oral health exerts its own unique influence on cardiovascular health.

The severity of gum disease matters significantly. Individuals with advanced periodontitis experience double the risk of fatal heart attacks compared to those with healthy gums. Tooth loss—often the end result of untreated gum disease—also correlates strongly with cardiovascular events. Studies show that people who have lost multiple teeth due to periodontal disease face elevated risks of heart attack and stroke, with the risk increasing proportionally to the number of teeth lost.

Perhaps most concerning, gum disease appears to accelerate the progression of existing heart disease. Patients with both conditions experience worse cardiovascular outcomes than those with heart disease alone. The chronic inflammation from periodontal disease compounds the inflammatory burden from cardiovascular disease, creating a synergistic effect that accelerates arterial damage and increases the likelihood of acute cardiac events.

These statistics aren't meant to frighten you but to underscore an important message: maintaining good oral health isn't just about your teeth—it's an essential component of heart disease prevention and overall health maintenance. The good news is that gum disease is both preventable and treatable, meaning you have significant control over this cardiovascular risk factor.

How Inflammation Creates Cardiovascular Risk

Inflammation serves as the common thread linking oral health to heart disease. Chronic inflammation from periodontal disease doesn't remain localized in your mouth—it becomes a systemic condition affecting your entire body, with your cardiovascular system bearing much of the burden.

When bacteria from infected gums enter your bloodstream, your immune system responds by releasing inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor. Elevated levels of these markers appear consistently in patients with both gum disease and cardiovascular disease. CRP in particular has emerged as a powerful predictor of heart attack and stroke risk, and studies show that treating periodontal disease can reduce CRP levels significantly.

This chronic inflammatory state damages the delicate endothelial cells lining your blood vessels. Healthy endothelium regulates blood pressure, prevents blood clots, and maintains smooth blood flow. Inflammation impairs these protective functions, making your blood vessels more prone to atherosclerosis, blood clot formation, and reduced flexibility. Over time, this damage accumulates, increasing your risk of hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.

Periodontal bacteria also directly interact with platelets in your blood, making them stickier and more likely to clump together. This increases your risk of dangerous blood clots that can block arteries in your heart or brain. Additionally, inflammatory chemicals from gum disease can destabilize existing arterial plaques, causing them to rupture. When a plaque ruptures, it triggers rapid clot formation that can suddenly block blood flow, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

The inflammatory connection explains why treating gum disease can improve cardiovascular health markers. Multiple studies demonstrate that periodontal therapy—including deep cleaning procedures and improved home care—reduces inflammation levels throughout the body. Patients who receive treatment for gum disease show improvements in endothelial function, arterial health, and inflammatory markers. This suggests that caring for your gums isn't just about preventing tooth loss—it's about protecting your heart.

Shared Risk Factors Compound the Problem

Gum disease and heart disease share several common risk factors, which helps explain why they so frequently occur together. Understanding these shared risks allows you to address multiple health concerns simultaneously through lifestyle modifications and preventive care.

Smoking represents one of the most significant risk factors for both conditions. Tobacco use impairs immune function, making it harder for your body to fight infections in your gums. It also reduces blood flow to gum tissues, hampering their ability to heal from bacterial attack. Simultaneously, smoking damages your cardiovascular system by promoting inflammation, raising blood pressure, and accelerating atherosclerosis. If you smoke, quitting offers perhaps the single most impactful step you can take to improve both your oral and cardiovascular health.

Diabetes creates a bidirectional relationship with periodontal disease. Poorly controlled blood sugar levels make gum disease more severe and harder to treat, while gum disease makes diabetes more difficult to control by increasing insulin resistance. Since diabetes also significantly increases cardiovascular disease risk, people with diabetes face compounded dangers from the interplay between these three conditions. Managing all three together—through dental care, blood sugar control, and cardiovascular risk reduction—produces the best outcomes.

Poor diet affects both your mouth and your heart. Diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates fuel the growth of harmful oral bacteria while also promoting obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes—all major cardiovascular risk factors. Conversely, diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins support both oral and cardiovascular health by providing essential nutrients, reducing inflammation, and controlling weight.

Chronic stress impacts your immune system's ability to fight infections, including those in your gums. Stress also contributes to cardiovascular disease through multiple pathways including elevated blood pressure, increased inflammation, and behavioral factors like poor sleep and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Managing stress through exercise, meditation, adequate sleep, and social connections benefits both your gums and your heart.

Protecting Your Heart Through Dental Care

The connection between oral health and heart disease empowers you with actionable knowledge. By prioritizing your dental health, you're also investing in cardiovascular disease prevention. At our Raymond dental practice , we emphasize comprehensive preventive care that protects not just your smile, but your overall health.

Daily oral hygiene forms the foundation of both dental and cardiovascular health. Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. This removes the bacterial biofilm (plaque) that causes gum disease before it can trigger inflammation. Don't neglect your gumline—angle your brush at 45 degrees and gently sweep bacteria away from the gum tissue. Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Flossing daily is equally crucial. Brushing alone cannot reach the 40% of tooth surfaces that lie between teeth. These interdental spaces serve as prime real estate for bacteria to colonize and infect your gums. Flossing disrupts bacterial communities in these areas, preventing them from establishing the chronic infections that lead to periodontal disease. If traditional floss proves difficult, consider interdental brushes, water flossers, or floss picks—the best tool is whichever one you'll actually use consistently.

Regular professional dental care provides surveillance and intervention that home care alone cannot achieve. During your checkups, we thoroughly examine your gums for signs of disease, measure pocket depths around your teeth, and remove hardened calculus (tartar) that only professional instruments can eliminate. These cleanings disrupt bacterial colonies and reduce inflammatory burden before significant damage occurs. For optimal oral and cardiovascular health, visit your Raymond dentist at least twice yearly, or more frequently if you have existing gum disease or other risk factors.

If you're diagnosed with gum disease, seek treatment promptly. Periodontal therapy—including scaling and root planing (deep cleaning below the gumline), antibiotic treatments, and in severe cases, surgical interventions—can halt disease progression, reduce bacterial load, and lower inflammation levels throughout your body. Studies show that patients who receive periodontal treatment experience improvements in cardiovascular health markers and reduced risk of cardiac events.

Communicate openly with both your dentist and your physician about your complete health picture. If you have cardiovascular disease or risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease, make sure your dental team knows. Similarly, if you're diagnosed with gum disease, inform your physician so they can consider this in your cardiovascular risk assessment and management plan. Coordinated care between your dental and medical providers produces the best outcomes for your overall health.

Your Partners in Comprehensive Health Care

At Lamprey Dental, we take pride in our commitment to whole-patient care that recognizes the profound connections between oral health and systemic wellness. We don't just treat teeth—we partner with you to optimize your overall health, understanding that a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy body and a healthy life.

Our comprehensive dental examinations include thorough gum health assessments because we know that protecting your gums means protecting your heart. We screen for periodontal disease at every visit, measure the health of the tissues supporting your teeth, and develop personalized treatment plans when problems arise. Our preventive care philosophy emphasizes catching and addressing issues early, before they progress to more serious conditions that threaten both your oral and cardiovascular health.

We also believe in patient education because informed patients make better health decisions. Understanding why you're brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist transforms these activities from chores into meaningful investments in your longevity and quality of life. When you understand that caring for your gums helps protect against heart attack and stroke, that motivation can sustain better habits long-term.

Ready to protect both your smile and your heart? Contact Lamprey Dental today to schedule your comprehensive dental examination. Our experienced team in Raymond, NH is here to provide exceptional preventive care that supports your overall health and wellbeing. Call us at (603) 895-3161 or visit our office at 37 Epping St, Raymond, NH. Your heart will thank you for the care you give your teeth!

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Finding a Dentist for Your Kids

By Gerald M • June 27, 2019
More and more parents are starting to recognize how important it is to provide age-1 dental care for their kids but many are still not sure what kind of dentist their child should be seeing. According to Cindy Bauer, DDS, MAGD, a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry, there are many general dentists who are qualified to care for children. “Parents should seek out a dental office that provides a fun environment for children, so that they are excited about coming to the dentist’s office.” This is why so many dentists have gone out of their way to create an office environment that is specifically child-friendly. They may have entertainment available for children and parents including video games, books, games, and access to movies. In order to best prepare the child and avoid any surprises, parents should speak to the dentist about what procedures will happen at the first appointment. Parents should also have a plan in mind for either reaction from the child – a positive or a negative. Remember that very small children may have trouble sitting still during the visit. Build excitement by speaking to the child ahead of time about what they can expect. Also, remember to bring the child’s complete medical history for the dentist to review. If a parent can sense anxiety in their child with regard to the dentist, they should find out whether the dentist is willing to do a pre-visit. In many cases, the dentist will use a pre-visit to ease any fears the child may have by letting them get used to the office. They will give the child a tour of the facility, show them the tools they will use during the exam, let them sit in the dentist’s chair, and possibly even demonstrate on an older family member. The most important thing, according to Carolyn Shreck, D.D.S. , is to make sure children have regularly scheduled visits with their dentist. “This will help them have better oral health for the rest of their lives.” How to Calm Your Child’s Nerves About the Dentist: · Ask the dentist about the best way to explain the dental visit to your child. · Arrange for your child to have a tour of the dentist’s office prior to their visit. · Ask if the child can bring an older family member into the exam room with them. · Avoid giving your child foods with caffeine or sugar prior to the appointment. If you are looking for a Raymond, NH dentist , look no further than the Lamprey Family Dental. We are currently accepting new patients and would love to help you get that beautiful smile you deserve. For more information about our services to schedule an appointment, please click here .

Dental Tips for Your Vacation

By Gerald M • June 22, 2019
Summer is finally here, and many people are finally going on their long-awaited vacations. Of course, nobody wants to have an issue with their teeth when they are away from home but being prepared for this type of issue can help you deal with it faster and get back to your vacation. Here are a few tips on how to handle a dental issue while you are on vacation. They always say that the best defense is a good offense. Make sure that you are up to date on your dental checkups before you leave on vacation. This will help you identify any small issues with your teeth that have the potential to turn into major problems while you are away. Not only will you have more peace of mind, but your dentist will have updated records just in case you do run into trouble. Of course, emergencies sometimes occur, even when you have taken all the right steps to prevent them. Keep contact information for your dentist with your travel documents and make sure that you have the office number in your phone. In many cases, your dentist will be able to help you solve your dental problem over the phone and help you get comfortable until you can come home and have an appointment. If you are out of the country, getting the dental care you need may be a bit more complicated, but it is still possible. Contact the US embassy to find a dentist who was trained in the United State. Cruise ships and resort hotels often have a list of providers for emergency dental services. Ask the concierge to help you set up an emergency appointment. When you are out of the country visiting friends or family, go with their best recommendation for dental care. In the hustle and bustle of preparing for a vacation, we often forget something as simple as packing a toothbrush. If you are stuck without a toothbrush and nowhere to get one, you can still take simple steps to clean your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove bacteria and sugars from the surface of your teeth. You can also put toothpaste on a washcloth until you are able to locate a proper toothbrush. When you do track one down, an ADA approved toothbrush is best but, if that isn’t possible, try to find one with soft bristles. Most of your favorite toothbrush brands can be purchased in any area of the world. Make sure that when you do pack your toothbrush, you do it with care. When we are at home, our toothbrushes have a chance to dry out. Bacteria won’t grow in a dry environment because it needs moisture to live. However, if you brush your teeth right before you leave, you might not have time to let it dry before you need to pack it. In this case, put your toothbrush in a clean plastic bag and keep it away from other items in your suitcase. As soon as possible, take your toothbrush out so that it can dry completely. Sugarless gum is one of the most important things you can keep on you for your dental health while you are traveling. For one thing, it will offer much-needed relief if you experience ear pressure during a plane takeoff or landing. However, sugarless gum can also help reduce your risk of cavities. If you are indulging in a lot of sweet treats during your vacation, chew a piece of sugarless gum afterward to protect your teeth. If you have a crown or bridge in your mouth that becomes loose during vacation, you can use sugar-free gum as a temporary hold until you can get to a dentist. It can also help as a temporary solution for tooth sensitivity when you’re on the road. Remember that not all areas where you travel will have water that is ideal for brushing your teeth. If you aren’t sure, pour bottled water onto your toothbrush instead. You do not want to have your vacation ruined by an illness as a result of ingesting contaminated local water. After your vacation, get right back to your normal oral hygiene routine. Spend some extra time brushing and flossing to make up for any lapses during your trip. Get back to healthy eating habits. There is no problem with indulging on vacation if you can get back to your normal habits when you get home. Looking for a Raymond, NH Dentists ? Lamprey Family Dental is now accepting new patients. For more information about our services or to request an appointment, click here .

Habits That Could Prevent Cavities in Children

By Gerald M • June 15, 2019
We all know how expensive raising a family can be in today’s world. When you start adding dental bills into the mix, the costs can really start to get out of hand. Unfortunately for most parents, it is a do as I say world, but that is not how children work. They are like sponges and watch every move we make. More importantly to realize is the fact because parents are literally their world, they try to emulate everything mom and dad do as well. Keep that in mind when it comes to your oral health regimen because you need to set the example for your children and show them how to properly care for their teeth the moment they understand tasks like brushing and rinsing. Here are some tips to help ensure you keep your child’s dental health in check and maybe yours as well: Don’t Miss Dental Appointments – this is literally the most basic of oral hygiene regimens. You simply cannot afford to miss a dental appointment because what often happens is you start to become afraid to go for fear of what you may find out. Keep the appointment, period. Sweets Between Meals – ideally, you avoid sweets. But, let’s face facts, we like them just as much as our children do. When picking snacks for the children, try to pick snacks that are healthy and hand them a bottle of water with the snack. Instead of candy, try some frozen grapes or blueberries. Make a game of swishing water around in the mouth after they are done eating to reduce the residue on their teeth. That will suffice until you can get them home to brush. Drinks Before and After Bed – if you are like me, you tend to take a drink to bed with you. For many parents, this often means some type of fruit juice in a sippy cup for the children, which is a big mistake. All the sugar in the drink will be sitting in their mouth all night long eroding away at the tooth enamel. The nighttime drink should be water, period. Brushing Before Bed – getting kids to brush their teeth before bed can be a nightmare, but it is a must to ensure good oral health. Today, there are numerous children-themed toothpastes as well as cool toothbrushes that can be used to make it fun. Put an egg timer on the sink and if they brush for the entire two minutes, give them a reward. You have to make them want to brush their teeth because this is a habit that will last them a lifetime. Do you need to make a dental appointment for your children? If you are looking for a Raymond, NH dentist , Lamprey Family Dental is accepting new patients. For more information about our services or to request an appointment, please click here .

Why Are Teeth Sensitive After Dental Visits?

By Gerald M • June 8, 2019
If you make regular dental visits, you may sometimes notice your teeth are a bit more sensitive after getting treatment. These sensations usually fade over time, however, there are times when that sensitivity continues without abating. Today, we are going to look at how and why this happens as well as what you can do to address it. Deep Cleaning Will Impact Sensitivity For most people, the bi-annual visit to the dentist means the removal of bacteria under the guns and tartar that has calcified on and between the teeth. The dentist or oral hygienist will use a regular pick as well as a small water pressure tool to remove this. For more severe cases, a root planing is done, usually in quadrants (generally, you are also given a local to numb the area being cleaned). When this is done, is it not uncommon to experience sore gums, bleeding gums, and extra-sensitive teeth, especially after a planing is conducted. One of the reasons the teeth will often feel a bit more sensitive is because the plaque has been removed from the surface. These parts of the tooth are once again exposed to the elements. In a normal situation, the extra sensitivity should start to subside in a day or so, and everything should be normal within a few days, a week at the longest. As you brush your teeth, carefully, throughout the week, this will actually help the situation along. In the meantime, avoid eating excessively cold or hot food. When possible, use a straw to drink your liquids to avoid direct contact with the teeth. If the problem persists, however, you should contact your dentist to alert him or her of the situation. Taking Care of Teeth After a Deep Cleaning It is important to understand that even though you may be experiencing some extra sensitivity from your teeth and gums, you still need to maintain a regular oral health regimen, however, there will be some moderate changes in the usual activity. For instance, you should avoid flossing for a day or so to allow the gums to recover. If, however, you have a water flosser, you can reduce the setting and use it to massage the gums and remove loose particles from between the teeth. When brushing your teeth, be sure to use a tooth brush with soft bristles so as not to aggravate the situation further. As mentioned above, avoid liquids of extreme temperature and use a straw to drink when possible. Are you in need of a dental cleaning? If you are looking for a Raymond, NH dentist , Lamprey Family Dental is accepting new patients. To learn more about our service or to schedule an appointment, please click here .

Taking Care of Your Oral Health Between Dental Appointments

By Gerald M • June 2, 2019
For many individuals, their next dental appointment may be their first. A far too common thought process is if you are brushing twice daily and flossing, there is simply no need to go to the dentist. That, obviously, is wrong. Regardless of how strict of an oral hygiene regimen you have on your own, bi-yearly dental visits are imperative to ensure good oral health. Now, since it may have been some time since you last visited a dentist or it is your first visit, here are some tips on how to prepare for a visit to the dentist’s office: Learn How to Brush Properly For as long as most of us can remember, we have been brushing our teeth. The question is, though, are you brushing your teeth the right way? Here are the basics in how to brush your teeth properly: · Use soft-bristled brush · After adding toothpaste to the brush, place the brush at the gumline at a 45-degree angle and brush gums before brushing your teeth · When done along the gumline, focus on brushing the front of the teeth before doing the rear · The brush should move vertically across the teeth rather than horizontally (this helps remove plaque from all angles) · Ensure you reach the rear of your mouth to brush the molars (which are often missed, creating the biggest problems for dental visits) Flossing Properly After you have brushed and rinsed, it is time to floss. This will ensure the small food particles left behind and wedged between teeth and under gumlines are removed. Start flossing at the rear bottom, slipping the floss between the teeth and gently moving it upwards. Once the lower level is done, repeat the process on the upper level. For even better results, invest in a water flosser, as they are far more effective than using standard floss. Using Mouthwash The use of a proper mouthwash is just as vital as the first two steps. Today, there are so many varieties and brands, it is virtually impossible not to find something both effective and palatable. You may want to discuss a specific brand with your dentist to ensure you are using a mouthwash most compatible with your needs/concerns. When rinsing, swish a small amount of mouthwash around vigorously for about a minute, then spit out. Looking for a new Raymond, NH dentist ? Lamprey Family Dental is now accepting new patients and we would love for you to become part of our dental family. For more information about our services or to make an appointment, please click here .

The Impact of Sugary Drinks on Teeth

By Gerald M • May 29, 2019
Now that the warmer weather is saturating the country, the consumption of sugary drinks is going to escalate considerably. Be it sweet tea or a sports drink or soda pop, people will be tossing them down to quench their thirst and battle the heat. With each sip, though, depending on the type of drink being consumed, you could be doing considerable damage to your teeth. Sure, it may take some time to come to fruition, but all that sugar will take a toll. Defining ‘Sugary’ Drinks It is very important to make note that even some drinks deemed healthy can actually do damage if the proper oral hygiene regimen is not in place. In this particular category, fruit drinks come to mind. Drinks like orange juice, cranberry juice, and smoothies fall into this category. While they may be “healthy” drinks, they also happen to be loaded with sugars. The Damage Whenever you toss down one of these sugar-packed drinks, you are unleashing the sugar on your teeth. While you may believe you have swallowed every ounce of the drink, rest assured, remnants of it are left behind on the surface of the tooth. When this happens, the bacteria in your mouth meant to consume the sugar are also doing damage to the surface of the tooth, eating away at the enamel. Eventually, that enamel gets weaker and we see the beginnings of a cavity forming. Avoiding the Damage of Sugary Drinks The obvious answer here is to cut out sugary drinks altogether, but that is not realistic, especially for health enthusiasts and athletes. For many people, those sugary drinks are the difference in completing the long run or ride and bonking out. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage done and keep the risk of cavities to a minimum. Today, there are several options for rinsing your mouth on the go. Listerine is now selling “portable” chews that can be used. When you are really in a crunch, simply take some water and swish it around in your mouth to get as much of the sugar off your teeth and out of your mouth as possible. For athletes, simply carry an extra bottle filled with water and sip that after sipping on your sports drink. If you have been putting off going to the dentist, now is the time to get your oral health back on track. If you are in need of a Raymond, NH dentist , Lamprey Family Dental is now accepting new patients and we would love to have you join our family! For more information about our dental services or our contact information to make an appointment, please click here .

What Can You Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

By Gerald M • May 23, 2019
Although it is an outpatient procedure, tooth extraction for both adults and children is a major medical procedure that will require at least one day of recovery. In some cases, it takes several days if several teeth were extracted or if it was difficult to remove them. Dentists recommend having this type of procedure during vacation periods when patients are already at ease and have the time available to heal. Following the extraction, it is necessary to eat a diet of soft foods that will not irritate the area during recovery. Ice Cream If a patient does not have sensitive teeth, ice cream is one of the first things that they should reach for following a tooth extraction. Even the sorest mouths can generally handle ice cream because it is both soft in texture and cool in temperature. In fact, it is so cold that it can often effectively reduce swelling of the gums as a result of the procedure. Soft serve ice cream is the best option but remember that this is not the time for candy toppings or sprinkles that can get into the healing gums and cause complications. It is also important to remember to rinse your mouth out after eating to avoid any sugar buildup. Cool Soup Another meal option following a tooth extraction is soup, served either cool or lukewarm. At certain times of the year, especially summer, smooth gazpacho may be an even better option than a cool broth. Not only is soup easy to ingest following oral surgery, but it is often packed with nutrients and protein that can aid in the healing process. Make sure you choose a soup that is as smooth as can be to avoid any discomfort. Small noodles or pieces of vegetable are fine but you should avoid any ingredients that would require you to chew while your mouth is healing. Scrambled Eggs Scrambled eggs are a great option after oral surgery because they are nutrient-rich but also soft and require very little chewing. Just make sure that they have adequately cooled before you eat them. Smoothies A fruit smoothie is one of the best ways to get your daily dose of nutrients following a tooth extraction. Blend your fruits with yogurt to enhance your smoothie with calcium, probiotics, and protein. Using a dairy base for your smoothie also reduces the acidity from the fruit, making it less likely to irritate your gums as they heal. If you are in need of dental care and looking for a Raymond, NH dentist , consider using Lamprey Family Dental. We are currently accepting new patients and would love to hear from you. For more information about our services, please click here .

What to Expect After Recognizing the 4 Stages of Gum Disease

By Gerald M • May 2, 2019
After recognizing the four stages of gum disease, you must take immediate steps to control your condition before it gets any worse. Gum disease that is left unattended for too long could result in the need for painful surgery or even in the loss of your teeth. Unfortunately, many people wait after recognizing the 4 stages of gum disease because they are nervous about what comes next. Knowing what to expect makes it much easier to move forward and improve your dental health. Recognizing the 4 Stages of Gum Disease There are four stages of gum disease, each with increasingly serious consequences for your overall oral health. For the best chance of recovery, it is vital that you notice the early signs of trouble with your gums. For example, if you notice blood in the sink when you brush your teeth, you may be experiencing the early signs of gum disease. Bad breath, shrinking gums, and sensitive teeth are also common signs of gum disease that often go overlooked by the folks suffering from them. A Deep Cleaning One of the first steps that your dentist will take the correct your gum disease is a deep cleaning. This is a much more in-depth process than the cleaning you would have at a normal checkup and may require more than one visit to complete. The cleaning will include work below your gum line in order to make sure that all of the bacteria is removed from the area. Your dentist may also complete a process called scaling, which involves scraping plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. Additional Treatment In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe medication to help control the infection in your gums before it begins to spread. This may be an oral antibiotic that you take over a period of weeks or, in some cases, an antibiotic gel that you apply directly to the infected area. Whatever the case may be, it is important that you follow your dentist’s instructions and complete the prescription, even if you think that your symptoms have stopped. If you think spot any of the four stages of gum disease, you should make an appointment with your dentist immediately. Early intervention can prevent much more serious issues as your disease progresses through the stages. Although it can be scary, remember that the longer you wait, the more serious the procedures will be to correct the damage done. If you are in need of a dentist and looking for a Raymond, NH dentists accepting new patients, Lamprey Family Dental can help. For more information about our services and location, click here .