How oral health affects blood pressure
The link between oral hygiene and high blood pressure is frequently discussed. A recent American study looked into this. It aimed to find out whether self-reported gum disease or tooth loss was associated with high blood pressure.
The researchers found that new cases of high blood pressure were more likely in women who lost teeth during this period. The association was especially strong in women under 60. This is thought to be due to changes in eating habits after tooth loss.
The researchers conclude that good dental care can also help prevent high blood pressure. If proper care prevents tooth loss, the likelihood of developing high blood pressure decreases. However, this is only one factor in the fight against the disease and cannot replace a healthy lifestyle with sufficient physical activity.
An earlier-found correlation between gum disease and high blood pressure could not be confirmed in this study, but it should be investigated further.
Because gum disease can lead to tooth loss.
Earlier studies focused especially on the bacteria that cause gum inflammation. These germs can spread throughout the body and also damage blood vessels. They trigger inflammatory processes in the vessels that make the vessel walls stiffer and more fragile and promote narrowing. One possible result is high blood pressure.
Interestingly, blood pressure can fall again after successful treatment of the teeth or gums.
Interestingly, blood pressure can fall again after successful treatment of the teeth or gums.
In summary, people with high blood pressure benefit from good oral hygiene.
Sources
- https://www.wissenschaft-aktuell.de/artikel/Bluthochdruck_bei_Parodontitis1771015590883.html
- https://dgparo.de/gesund-im-mund/herz-kreislauf/
- https://www.iww.de/zr/parodontologie/bluthochdruck-parodontitis-bei-vielen-betroffenen-steigt-unbemerkt-der-blutdruck-f139766
- https://academic.oup.com/ajh/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ajh/hpy164/5209925
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 04/2024).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
