Your gums are inflamed
Gum disease is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. The link has to do with inflammation in the body, which is triggered when gum disease goes untreated. Regular cleanings by a dentist can help prevent gum disease. A 2014 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people with heart disease or type 2 diabetes who were treated for gum disease were less likely to be hospitalized than those who weren’t.