Your mouth matters
Responsible oral care always begins with your toothbrush, but keeping your gums fit and healthy could dramatically lower your risk of heart disease. Did you know that, statistically' heart disease is more closely associated with periodontitis than cholesterol? So a sensible approach to good oral care is no joke.
By gum
According to mounting scientific evidence, including a pioneering study by the Harvard Medical School, people with gum disease or 'periodontitis' are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary heart disease as those without. There is some debate as to whether periodontitis is a cause or an effect of heart disease, however. One theory is that the bacteria involved in gum inflammation can escape into your bloodstream and attach fatty plaques to the walls of your coronary arteries – increasing the risk of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.
Play it safe
Whether or not periodontitis is guilty of aiding and abetting one of the world's biggest killers, the best policy is 'don't brush with death, brush your teeth', and pay special attention to your gumline, where bacteria can inflame your gums, leading to gingivitis and other problems. Stopping smoking is also advisable – smokers have a sixfold higher incidence of gum disease than non-smokers.
Choose your toothpaste wisely
Leading toothpaste brand Signal uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver the results you need. And Signal's range of products ensures that there's something out there for every tooth. In Asia, there's even a herbal toothpaste based on a traditional, natural remedy for oral health problems.
