{"id":39799,"date":"2025-03-20T10:01:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T15:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tamus.edu\/benefits\/?p=39799"},"modified":"2025-03-20T10:10:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T15:10:46","slug":"high-blood-pressure-and-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tamus.edu\/benefits\/high-blood-pressure-and-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"HIgh Blood Pressure and oral health"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What does it mean to have high blood pressure?<\/strong>

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Blood pressure consists of two measurements. Systolic blood pressure is how much force your blood exerts against your arteries while your heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure is how much force your blood exerts against your arteries while your heart rests. Because your arteries are narrow, too much force can easily damage them, which can cause complications such as stroke or heart disease.

If you\u2019ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you should follow your doctor\u2019s dietary and exercise recommendations and\u00a0avoid smoking<\/a>. And if you have\u00a0diabetes<\/a>, you should be especially mindful of your sugar consumption and insulin levels, as diabetes can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What does high blood pressure have to do with oral health?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many studies suggest<\/a>\u00a0there\u2019s a significant correlation between periodontal disease and high blood pressure. One possible reason is that periodontal disease contributes to chronic inflammation, which is associated with cardiovascular disease. Although the research is in its early stages, these findings support\u00a0a potential connection<\/a>\u00a0between inflammatory conditions of the mouth and heart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Can my dentist help me?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Absolutely! Because the human body is so interconnected, your dentist may be one of the first people to recognize that something is wrong with your health. Bad breath, mouth sores and bleeding gums may be signs of a more serious condition. While these developments don\u2019t necessarily equal high blood pressure, they could be symptoms of other problems. If you notice that something in your mouth seems wrong,\u00a0ask your dentist<\/a>\u00a0for help. Make sure you also visit your dentist for regular checkups, and brush and floss every day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How do I prevent high blood pressure?<\/strong><\/p>\n