Poor Oral Health Linked to Higher Blood Pressure

ORAL HEALTH AND BLOOD PRESSURE: WHAT’S THE SCOOP?

Here at SLO Smiles, we are more than just a dental office in San Luis Obispo—we are a team of talented and highly experienced dental professionals focused on improving your whole body health. Rather than seeing good dental care as just clean and shiny teeth, we take a holistic approach in our treatments and checkups. Your oral health is connected to so many other parts of your body and it’s important to understand how they work together. That’s why today our SLO Smiles team is breaking down recent findings from the American Heart Association (AHA) Hypertension Journal that connects poor oral health conditions to high blood pressure.

In their review, the AHA found that patients with high blood pressure who were taking medication for the condition are more likely to benefit from it if they have good oral health. Let’s rephrase that: Good oral health is linked to lower blood pressure! These findings are based on a review of medical and dental exam records of more than 3,600 patients with high blood pressure and revealed that those with healthier gums ultimately had lower blood pressure compared to individuals with periodontitis (a gum disease that damages soft tissue in your mouth). Those with periodontitis were 20 percent less likely to reach healthy blood pressure ranges compared with patients in good oral health (AHA).

SO WHAT’S THE TAKEAWAY?

Good oral health may be just as important in controlling high blood pressure as other lifestyle interventions like diet, exercise, and weight control (AHA). The AHA researchers also mention that physicians should pay close attention to patients’ oral health, particularly those receiving treatment for high blood pressure, and urge those with signs of periodontal disease to seek dental care.

Yep, you heard it right folks. Good oral health is extremely important to whole body health, and can even affect your blood pressure. If there is anything to learn from this research it is that as a patient, you should be expecting more from your dentist in San Luis Obispo. At SLO Smiles, we are the most comprehensive dental office in town—none offer a greater level of specialized experience or comprehensive services.

We want to empower you to take control of your dental health, and we want you to understand how your teeth and gum health relate to your whole body health. SLO Smiles is here to support you every step of the way to a brighter smile. Reach out to our friendly dentists today at (805) 541-0550.