A recent study that has been published in October 2018 has suggested that people with PERIODONTAL DISEASE have higher blood pressure.
This study, that was released in the American Heart Associations Journal ‘Hypertension’, was based on 3,600 people’s medical and dental records. All of the participants in this study had already been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
It was revealed that those with healthier gums had lower blood pressure than those with gum disease. Furthermore, it showed that those with periodontal disease found it harder to control their blood pressure using medication. It was also highlighted that people with periodontal disease are 20% less likely to reach a healthy blood pressure range than those with healthy gums. This is due to their responsiveness to blood pressure medication.
Based on these results, the researchers of this study suggest that those with periodontal disease should monitor their blood pressure. Equally, those with hypertension may benefit from checking for periodontal disease to ensure healthy blood pressure levels can be reached.
Worldwide, high blood pressure affects up to 40% of people 25 and older.
Patients with high blood pressure and the clinicians who care for them should be aware that good oral health may be just as important in controlling the condition as are several lifestyle interventions known to help control blood pressure, such as a low-salt diet, regular exercise and weight control.
DR. Davide Pietropaoli, Study Lead Author, the San Salvatore Hospital, University of L’Aquila, Italy
how to identify Periodontal Disease:
Bad breath
The build up and growth of bacteria in your mouth can lead to bad breath. This is due to the bacteria in your mouth releasing bad odours. Food particles trapped in between gaps in the teeth also lead to bad breath.
Gum inflammation
When you have bacteria in your mouth, inflammation and redness will occur to the gum. This is a sign of your immune system fighting the bacteria and containing them so the infection doesn’t spread any further
Bleeding Gums
This is also known as gingivitis. Bleeding gums is often associated with brushing too hard. However, in the majority of cases, this is due to the build up of plague which causes irritation to the gums. This in turn leads to your gums bleeding.
Tooth pain & sensitive teeth
Periodontal disease can lead to receding gums which will expose the tooth root. This will cause tooth sensitivity, especially to hot and cold food and drinks.
You may experience one or all of the above symptoms and it is important to be able to spot the warning signs. If you think you may be showing signs of gum disease it is essential to get it seen to immediately.
Your general health is strongly linked to your oral health. It makes sense if you think of your mouth as a gateway to the rest of your body. It is so important to keep on top of your oral hygiene on a daily basis. Here are our three tips for healthy oral hygiene:
- Brush your teeth twice a day, for 2 minutes each time.
- Use interdental brushes daily.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months.
