February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, so it's a great time to remind you that heart disease and oral health are linked.

Numerous studies have shown that people with moderate or advanced gum disease are more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy gums.

Studies have also shown that one's oral health can provide warning signs for heart disease as well as other diseases or conditions.

It's interesting to note that many of the risk factors for gum disease are the very same as those for heart disease: tobacco use, poor nutrition and diabetes. Overall, people who have chronic gum disease are at higher risk for a heart attack, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).