It is common knowledge that severe gum disease can have devastating consequences for a person’s oral health. It can lead to gum recession, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. However, many people may not realize that the damage gum disease causes can reach far beyond the mouth. Let’s discuss how this condition could affect cardiovascular health and what you can do to protect both your smile and your heart.

Discussions about oral hygiene often focus primarily on brushing and flossing — and both of those things are certainly essential to maintaining a clean mouth. However, those cornerstones of at-home oral care aren’t enough by themselves to keep your mouth as fresh and healthy as possible. You also need to clean your tongue. In this blog, your dentist in Colorado Springs discusses how and why and how you should do so.