We typically don’t associate the smile we see in the mirror with the rest of the body. We should. We call this the Mouth-Body Connection®. The Mouth-Body Connection at its core is the message that gum disease affects more than your mouth; it affects the whole body. Among the many systemic health conditions involved in this relationship, research shows that the Mouth-Body Connection is evident with cardiovascular disease, like high blood pressure.
ORAL HEALTH & DENTISTRY
What Does Gum Disease Have To Do With Blood Pressure?
In This Article
To learn more about the Mouth-Body Connection read our article on the connection between Periodontal Disease and other Health Issues.
Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
Gum disease is an infection caused by bacteria in the soft tissue surrounding your teeth. Untreated gum disease leads to gum deterioration, which causes red, swollen gums that bleed when brushing or flossing.
Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that affect the function and health of the heart and blood vessels. One form of cardiovascular disease is high blood pressure, commonly known as hypertension. High blood pressure affects over 70 million people in the US and is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease. [i]
High blood pressure is a dangerous systemic condition because it is sometimes hard to detect but can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. When there is extra strain on the cardiovascular system from high blood pressure, it can hasten the onset of atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries. Per the American Heart Association, atherosclerosis creates blockages, which result in heart attacks.[ii]
Gum Disease’s Effects on High Blood Pressure
So, what do you need to know about the connection between gum disease and high blood pressure? Research suggests gum disease is a risk factor for high blood pressure.[iii]
In fact, researchers discovered that people with gum disease were twice as likely as people who had no gum disease to have high blood pressure. Not to mention, 50 percent of their study’s participants with gum disease already had blood pressure readings that reached hypertension diagnosis levels. [iv]
The connection of hypertension with oral health is the inflammation inherent with gum disease.[v] When bacteria infect the gums and gets into the bloodstream, they cause inflammation and contribute to the formation of arterial plaque. A study in 2010 determined the bacteria from gum disease also promoted the development of atherosclerosis.[vi]
The inflammation from gum disease bacteria also contributes to endothelial dysfunction, a risk factor for increased blood pressure.[vii] Endothelial dysfunction is when the blood vessels in the narrow because the inner lining (endothelium) cannot keep the vessel open.[viii] As a result it increases blood pressure and speeds up the atherosclerotic process. And this isn’t good for heart health.[ix]
Does High Blood Pressure Also Affect Gum Disease?
In some cases, high blood pressure might affect the development of gum disease by contributing to reduced blood flow in the periodontium, essentially the anchor of the teeth. Less oxygen in the periodontium tissue makes it easier for the gum disease symptoms to worsen.
There are several common risk factors between high blood pressure and gum disease. So, when you have one, you often have a higher risk of developing the other.
Early Detection is Crucial in Managing Periodontal Disease
Research indicates that taking care of your overall health requires taking care of your oral health. Homecare-based gum disease treatment–brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and seeing your dental care professional team twice a year for cleanings and examinations–is an excellent way to prevent gum disease and, by association, high blood pressure.
In addition, more extensive, clinically delivered gum disease treatment can improve your hypertension as well. A study out of China showed that people who had intensive treatment for their gum disease—meaning cleaning to the root and tooth extractions where needed— had positive results for their blood pressure readings in as little as three months. By six months, their systolic blood pressure had dropped 13 points and diastolic pressure by 10 points.[xii]
On top of two minutes, twice a day, there are lifestyle choices that can help: eating a nutrient-dense diet, not smoking, getting regular exercise, and watching your alcohol intake. For patients that might also have diabetes, managing that condition is also critical. [xiii]
It is also important to get regular health screenings for associated systemic conditions when you learn you have gum disease, and vice versa. One very well could indicate that the risks of another are much higher and catching them early is essential. Catching gum disease early before the symptoms progress and lead to tooth loss or other serious effects is critical. Likewise, catching hypertension early is essential. Unlike gum disease, hypertension can kill you—and sometimes before symptoms.
Good suggestions, if you have gum disease and have not tested your blood pressure, be sure to talk to your medical doctor about your gum disease diagnosis – and let your dentist know of your recent diagnosis for hypertension. Both conditions respond well to treatment and improvements in one diseases condition can lead to improvements in the other. Early detection leads to early intervention, benefitting your oral and cardiovascular health. It’s a win-win.
Find a Dentist near me
Looking for a trusted dental team for your regular dental care and related health screenings for other systemic conditions? Smile Generation-trusted dental professionals understand the Mouth-Body Connection, and can assess your oral health, take your health history, and determine if you are at risk for some of these serious and associated health conditions.
For more information or to find a Smile Generation-trusted dentist near you, use our Find a Dentist Tool.
Find your trusted, local dentist today!
Sources
[i] Macedo Paizan ML, Vilela-Martin JF. Is there an association between periodontitis and hypertension?. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2014;10(4):355-361. doi:10.2174/1573403x10666140416094901
[ii] How High Blood Pressure Can Lead to a Heart Attack (2022). Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-threats-from-high-blood-pressure/how-high-blood-pressure-can-lead-to-a-heart-attack (Accessed: 17 November 2022).
[iii] Macedo Paizan ML, Vilela-Martin JF. Is there an association between periodontitis and hypertension?. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2014;10(4):355-361. doi:10.2174/1573403x10666140416094901
[iv] American Heart Association. (2021, March 29). People with severe gum disease may be twice as likely to have increased blood pressure. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 17, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210329090000.htm
[v] Gum Disease and Other Diseases - American Academy of Periodontology. Perio.org. https://www.perio.org/for-patients/gum-disease-information/gum-disease-and-other-diseases/. Accessed November 11, 2022.
[vi] Hall K, Sanjai Sinha M. What Gum Disease Can Mean for Your Overall Health. EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/periodontal-disease/what-gum-disease-can-mean-your-overall-health/. Published 2018. Accessed November 11, 2022.
[vii] Macedo Paizan ML, Vilela-Martin JF. Is there an association between periodontitis and hypertension?. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2014;10(4):355-361. doi:10.2174/1573403x10666140416094901
[viii] What Is Endothelial Dysfunction? (2022). Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/endothelial-dysfunction-1746344 (Accessed: 17 November 2022).
[ix] Macedo Paizan ML, Vilela-Martin JF. Is there an association between periodontitis and hypertension?. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2014;10(4):355-361. doi:10.2174/1573403x10666140416094901
[x] What Is Metabolic Syndrome? (2022). Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome (Accessed: 18 November 2022).
[xi] Macedo Paizan ML, Vilela-Martin JF. Is there an association between periodontitis and hypertension?. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2014;10(4):355-361. doi:10.2174/1573403x10666140416094901
[xii] Can Treating Gum Disease Help With Blood Pressure? (2022). Available at: https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20171114/can-treating-gum-disease-help-with-blood-pressure#:~:text=One%20month%20after%20their%20gum,)%2C%20the%20study%20findings%20showed. (Accessed: 18 November 2022).
[xiii] "Association Between Periodontitis and Blood Pressure Highlighted in Systemically Healthy Individuals" (2022), p. Available at: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.16790 (Accessed: 18 November 2022).
Smile Generation blog articles are reviewed by a licensed dental professional before publishing. However, we present this information for educational purposes only with the intent to promote readers’ understanding of oral health and oral healthcare treatment options and technology. We do not intend for our blog content to substitute for professional dental care and clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment planning provided by a licensed dental professional. Smile Generation always recommends seeking the advice of a dentist, physician, or other licensed healthcare professional for a dental or medical condition or treatment.
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