The Impact of Dental Health on Blood Pressure

The connection between oral hygiene and high blood pressure is frequently discussed. A recent American study investigated this. It aimed to find out how self-reported gum disease or tooth loss among participants relates to high blood pressure.

Dental Care and Its Connection to Blood Pressure

Participants in the study were more than 36,000 postmenopausal women. After the initial assessment of their teeth and gums, they were followed up for an average of 8.3 years. The focus was on whether new cases of high blood pressure emerged and if a connection could be found with tooth loss or gum disease.

The researchers found that the onset of high blood pressure was more likely in women who lost teeth during this period. The connection was particularly strong in women under 60. Changes in eating habits after tooth loss are assumed to be a reason for this.

The researchers conclude that good dental care positively impacts the prevention of high blood pressure. If good care prevents tooth loss, the likelihood of developing high blood pressure decreases. However, this is just one factor in the fight against this condition and cannot replace a healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise.

The previously found correlation between gum disease and high blood pressure could not be confirmed in this study but should be further researched.

Because: Gum diseases promote tooth loss.

In earlier studies, the bacteria that cause gum inflammation were particularly in focus. These pathogens can spread throughout the body and also cause damage in blood vessels. They lead to inflammatory processes in the vessels, making the vessel walls stiffer and more brittle, and promoting narrowing. The consequence can include high blood pressure.
Interestingly, this decreases again after successful treatment of the teeth or gums.

In summary, it can be said that people suffering from high blood pressure benefit from good oral hygiene.

Sources

By Sabine Croci. This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (04/2024).
Information on the website and within the app cannot replace a consultation with a doctor, but can certainly complement it.

Our offering meets the afgis transparency criteria. The afgis logo stands for high-quality health information on the internet.

The Impact of Dental Health on Blood Pressure

Sources

Register: