Can Dental Problems Cause High Blood Pressure?

A study found that oral hygiene can be an independent risk factor for high blood pressure, and maintaining health gums can control and even prevent it. Read on as we talk more about the connection between gum disease and High blood pressure or hypertension affects a third of American adults. It is estimated that 20 percent do not realize they have hypertension at all. hypertension. Your dentist might be the one to spot potential signs of high blood pressure.

How Dentists Spot Signs of High Blood Pressure

Check for Signs of Gum Disease

During a routine dental examination, the dentist will look for signs of gum disease or periodontitis. The mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. If you have periodontitis, you are at an increased risk at having potentially harmful bacteria get inside the bloodstream via infected gum tissue. According to experts, this can help contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, which leads to increased blood pressure. Take note, though, that gum disease causes hypertension; it is merely considered a risk factor to it.

Review Medical and Dental History

Dentists ask about your general health and the medications you are currently taking because our bodies are systems, and our oral and overall health are connected. There are certain health conditions and medications, combined with signs of gum disease, can show that you have hypertension. Often referred as a “silent killer,” high blood pressure is something that one person may not know they have it. dentists can connect the dots between your overall and oral health. They can see your whole health and help detect and treat problems before they become big issues.

Check Blood Pressure

Checking the blood pressure is required, so the dentist can pick the right local anesthetic for a particular dental procedure. If your dentist checks your blood pressure during your dentist appointment, you just might discover something that what was previously an unknown health risk to you. Early detection of high blood pressure during its early stages can help prevent it from being a major issue later on. Should your dentist think that you have hypertension, they will likely recommend that you visit a physician to get further screening.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

To prevent gum disease, it helps to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Aside from this, you also need to floss at least once daily, and to visit your dentist regularly. It is a known fact that daily brushing and flossing are important for good oral health. However, there is something that many people might not know: staying on top of your regular dental appointments can also help prevent and even reverse gum disease.

How to Prevent High Blood Pressure

To prevent high blood pressure, it is crucial that you exercise regularly, eat healthy and do not smoke. There are several risk factors for developing hypertension. Some of them are genetic so they really cannot be prevented, while others are caused by your own lifestyle choices. The three things mentioned above might already be familiar because it addresses lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk for hypertension. Also, most importantly, they work in improving the health. Aside from adopting these healthy habits to reduce your risk for developing high blood pressure, they are also helpful to your oral health.

If you want to learn more about dental problems and its relationship to high blood pressure, talk to a reputable dentist in your area now. These professionals can talk to you more about dental issues, hypertension, and any unique risks that you might have. Remember that it is better to prevent these health problems than cure them.