Oral Health and High Blood Pressure

Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly helps prevent the buildup of plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria that can damage the teeth as well as the bones and surrounding tissues that support the teeth, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. It also helps prevent bad breath, which can ruin your confidence, because it inhibits the excessive growth of bacteria in the mouth, which can make your breath smell. More importantly, it also helps keep your overall health in check by decreasing inflammation and plaque that can eventually affect the rest of the body.

However, poor oral health can lead to various issues with your teeth, including bleeding, swollen, or painful gums, aching teeth, and persistent bad breath. On the other hand, good oral health is typically indicated by pink gums, healthy, clean teeth, and teeth that are free of aches and tenderness caused by cavities and infection. They also do not bleed when flossed or brushed.

Why is Good Oral Health Important for Controlling High Blood Pressure? 

Poor dental hygiene allows harmful bacteria to build up on the teeth and surrounding tissues, which can eventually make its way to the rest of the body via the bloodstream where it can cause various other health issues throughout the rest of the body. Several studies show an apparent link between poor oral health and various bodily disorders, including high blood pressure, which can also lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

Heavy bacteria accumulation on the teeth causes the gums to become infected, which then causes them to become inflamed. This inflammation will continue to worsen until the bacteria buildup is removed correctly. If left untreated, after some time, the injured cells will react to the inflammation by releasing various chemicals that cause the gums to begin to wear away as well as the bone structure that secures the teeth in place, resulting in gum disease.

This inflammation can also begin to affect the rest of the body and cause many issues, such as high blood pressure. When inflammation enters the blood vessels, it causes the vessel walls to become thicker, which also narrows the vessels. As these thickened walls develop throughout the vessels, it decreases the blood flow, which puts you at risk of high blood pressure as well as heart attack and stroke.

Therefore, it is essential to practice proper dental care to help prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria on the teeth, which can also lead to inflammation throughout the rest of the body, which puts your overall health at risk.

More Facts On How Your Oral Health Can Impact Your Overall Health

• Poor oral hygiene can also put you at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory infections, diabetes, dementia, and more. 

• Studies found that people with poor oral health are also at higher risk of developing blood cancers, pancreatic cancer, and kidney cancer. 

• Studies also found that people with gum disease were less likely to react to high blood pressure medications as compared to those with good oral health, making them less likely to achieve healthy blood pressure levels, which can lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. 

• Patients with high blood pressure who also suffer from gum disease are strongly recommended by physicians to attend regular dental visits to help make high blood pressure medications more effective and to also prevent their high blood pressure from becoming worse. 

As you can see, your oral health is serious business for the overall health of your body.

To help maintain your oral health, it is strongly recommended that you brush twice daily with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. You should also brush and floss after meals, and use a mouthwash that helps keep bacteria at bay. You should also avoid smoking, and eat a well-balanced diet for proper nutrition. Lastly, it is also recommended that you visit a dentist regularly for cleanings and other preventative treatments to help protect against cavities and gum disease. By doing so, it can help keep your teeth and gums healthy, which helps decrease your risk of developing potentially fatal diseases.

About the Author

Dr. Marichia Attalla is a leading Nassau County Periodontist on Long Island in New York. Learn more about dental health by visiting her website.