High Blood Pressure

Your oral health is a big factor in the rest of your physical health. From diabetes to cancer, maintaining good oral health and getting regular checkups is associated with lower risks, including those related to blood pressure. Many individuals aren’t aware that poor dental hygiene can lead to high blood pressure in the long run. With a trusted dentist, you can explore these risks and learn what it takes to improve your health. Distinctive Dental Solutions is here to guide you. Our dentists help patients maintain healthy teeth and, in turn, better overall wellbeing. 

Understanding High Blood Pressure and What it Means for Your Dental Health

Hypertension is one of the most common health conditions in America, and the effects are well documented. An individual with a reading over 140/90 is at a higher risk for stroke, heart disease, and many other cardiovascular issues. But what about your oral health? It’s true that poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth decay and permanent tooth loss from decay or periodontal disease. As it turns out, many of the same diseases that affect the mouth can have systemic impacts on the rest of your body, including high blood pressure through the creation of inflammation in the body’s tissues that, in turn, creates constriction of blood vessels and ultimately high blood pressure. That’s why it’s important to maintain healthy levels alongside regular dental care. 

In other cases, side effects caused by antihypertensive medications can lead to dental problems as well as trouble controlling blood pressure for those who have already been diagnosed with hypertension. For most individuals, however, the matter is preventative. Oral health problems can cause cardiovascular complications like increased blood pressure, which then increases the risk for larger issues. Visiting a dentist can solve these issues or circumvent them altogether by building an individualized care plan. 

A few facts to consider include: 

• According to a study published by the American Heart Association, individuals with periodontal disease were 20 to 40% less likely to achieve healthy blood pressure levels. 
• An abundance of bacteria in the mouth can sometimes make its way into the bloodstream, which can travel to and impact the heart and cause systemic inflammation. 
• Patients with poor oral hygiene habits and compromised oral health had a blood pressure reading that was on average 3mmHg higher than those with good dental habits. 

With this in mind, there are a few things a dentist can do to help. 

Visiting a Dentist Promotes Full-Body Health

When you visit a dentist, you are protecting your teeth along with your overall well-being. Staying healthy in both the present and future means making the right choices to boost your vitality and prevent health complications alongside our dedicated dental team. During your routine checkups, we will do a thorough assessment of your mouth. There are a few telltale signs of inflammation or periodontal disease, both of which can lead to larger health impacts: 

• Bleeding gums
• Redness or swelling
• Pain
• Receding gum line
• Loose teeth 

We’ll treat these signs and get to the core cause. Inflammation in the mouth is often tied to heart disease and other complications, which is why immediate treatment will benefit you for the rest of your life. 

Talk to Our Dentists Today

Distinctive Dental Solutions is committed to helping our patients live their healthiest lives. We combine compassionate care with extensive knowledge in dentistry to provide outstanding services that boost your wellbeing. Schedule your cleaning today to begin. Our dentists look forward to meeting you and your family!