Dental Care

Maintaining good oral health practices will help keep your heart healthy.

You should brush and floss your teeth regularly. Going to the dentist may not be your favourite thing to do, but good dental habits and regular check-ups with your dentist are both important for your heart.

If you don’t have dental insurance, many dental and dental hygiene programs offer services free of charge or at a reduced rate. You can ask your doctor or nurse if this is available in your community.

Your teeth and your heart share the same blood supply. This means that the same bacteria that causes cavities can travel to the heart and cause an infection called endocarditis. People with artificial heart valves or other artificial materials in their hearts and those with cyanotic (blue) CHD are most at risk.

Some people with CHD are recommended to take antibiotics before dental visits and procedures. We think that all patients should ask their doctor or nurse about this..

To learn more:

Adult Congenital Heart Association – CHD & dental issues

American Academy of Pediatrics – Dental care for children (and teens!) with CHD

This program was developed by:

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