Burke, Fairfax and Fairfax Station, VA
February is Heart Health Month, and with Valentine’s Day conspicuously parked smack dab in the middle of the month, it’s hard not to think of both the literal and metaphorical heart. Both the organ that is vital to life, and the symbol that is central to our conception of love.
It’s convenient that dentists can help you with both. When you see your dentist regularly, you’ll enjoy better health–and you’ll probably see improvements in your love life, too. Let us explain how oral health provides a great foundation for health and happiness for you and your beloved.
The Way to Your Heart (and Theirs)
Let’s start with one of the most important ways your dentist can protect your heart. Gum disease isn’t just a threat to your smile, it’s a chronic infection that can spread through your body. This includes your heart. Gum disease has been linked to heart infections, heart failure, clogged arteries, and stroke. In fact, a new study shows that just seeing your dentist regularly can reduce your risk of stroke by nearly 25%!
So seeing your dentist means more time and energy to spend with your beloved. And it means you’ll be better able to make good use of that time–gum disease is associated with sexual dysfunction.
Keeping gum disease under control also means preserving that smile they fell in love with. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. And gum disease can also make you a lot less kissable–it’s commonly associated with chronic bad breath.
Sleep Together & Stay Together
Perhaps the most contentious issue couples face is the question of his (or sometimes her) snoring. Whether this is something that’s always been the case or has only developed with age, it can lead to big and bitter fights. That’s because when you’re not getting enough sleep, you don’t have the empathy or energy to deal with other people compassionately. This makes fights spiral out of control. (And here’s a secret: although it might look like the snorer is sleeping peacefully, they’re really not. So you’re both at short fuses!)
You might think that the simple solution is sleeping in different rooms, but that won’t always solve the problem. Not only can snoring often be heard through the wall, but the snorer is still not getting good sleep, which can make them more likely to respond irrationally to your move.
And snoring is a very bad sign for the heart. It’s commonly associated with sleep apnea, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular problems, including early cardiovascular death.
Fortunately, your dentist can treat snoring and sleep apnea easily with an oral appliance, a simple piece similar to a mouthguard that you wear at night. It’s comfortable and convenient, and, unlike CPAP, it doesn’t require a full, invasive (and unsexy) mask and hose arrangement.
It’s often said that the simplest thing you can do for the health of your heart (and your relationship) is to get more and better sleep. Let us help you with that.
And If You’re Looking for Love This Valentine’s Day
Many people who are single tend to feel left out on Valentine’s Day, a holiday designed for couples. But if you’re not in a couple this year, your dentist can help you, too. In addition to all the important messages about keeping your heart healthy, we want you to know that an attractive smile is probably the single most important factor people are looking for in a potential date. That’s true of both men and women, who most commonly put this in their list of must-haves for a potential date.
So if you think that your smile might be holding you back in the romance department, let us help you with a smile makeover. Take a look and see some of the beautiful smiles Dr. Pamela Marzban has crafted, and you’ll see what you can look forward to. With Functional orthodontics, she can even improve your profile.
Schedule Your Heart to Heart
Whether you’re concerned about the health of your heart, the state of your love life, or just the appearance of your smile, we can help.
All you have to do is schedule an appointment for a heart to heart with northern Virginia dentist Dr. Pamela Marzban. Please call (703) 323-8200 today to schedule yours.
