Gum disease can worsen blood pressure problems

Some new research suggests that adults with periodontitis, a serious gum disease, may be more than twice as likely to have high blood pressure as those with healthy gums. So what's the link between gum disease and blood pressure problems?

Gum disease is a common condition when your gums become swollen, painful, or infected. Gum disease can cause bad breath and bleeding gums when you brush your teeth. The early stage of the disease is called gingivitis. If left untreated, a condition called periodontitis can develop. If periodontitis is left untreated, the jawbone can become damaged and create small gaps between the gums and teeth. Your teeth may become loose and may eventually fall out.
Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, which is a sticky substance that contains bacteria. Some of the bacteria in plaque are harmless, but some are harmful to gum health. So, if you don't remove plaque from your teeth by brushing, it will build up and irritate your gums. This can lead to redness with bleeding, swelling, and soreness.

Dr. Sally Cram, DDS, a dentist in Washington, D.C. There is a link between gum disease and high blood pressure, says and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association.
Hypertension is estimated to affect 40% of people over the age of 25 worldwide. Untreated or poorly controlled hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, as well as kidney disease. Hypertension is estimated to claim 7.5 million lives worldwide.
Periodontitis is a serious infection of gum tissue that can lead to chronic inflammation and destruction of the bone that supports the teeth, leading to tooth loss.

Research published in the journal Hypertension found that 14% of people with periodontitis reached the clinical threshold for hypertension in the UK, as opposed to 7% of the control group without periodontitis. The researchers also found that periodontitis was associated with higher blood pressure in healthy individuals.
Another study also shows that severe gum disease can put a healthy person at a significantly higher risk of developing high blood pressure. Study author Dr Francesco D'Aiuto, chief of periodontology at Eastman University College London's Dental Institute, said: "Our evidence indicates that periodontal bacteria cause gum damage and also cause adverse reactions. Inflammatory responses can influence the development of systemic diseases including high blood pressure.
Scientists found that a diagnosis of gum disease was associated with higher rates of high blood pressure, independent of common cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, participants with periodontitis showed increased levels of glucose, LDL ("bad" cholesterol), hsCRP and white blood cells, and lower levels of HDL ("good" cholesterol), compared with those in the control group. proof. Professor Francesco D'Aiuto, (UCL Eastman Dental Institute), said: "This evidence indicates that periodontal bacteria cause gum damage and also trigger inflammatory responses that may impact development of systemic diseases, including hypertension.
Researchers suggest that people with uncontrolled periodontal disease inflammation and infection have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Because when inflammation inside the blood vessels, that causes the lining inside the blood vessels to thicken, it reduces blood flow, putting you at risk of heart attack and stroke.
Previous studies have found an association between hypertension and gum disease. However, studies confirming the details of the origin of this association are rare. This study did not take into account other factors that can also affect blood pressure, such as belly fat, high salt intake, anti-inflammatory drug use, hormone treatment, stress, or any dental health condition. any other mouth.

Prevention and treatment of gum disease is cost-effective and can reduce systemic inflammatory markers as well as improve the function of the endothelium (the thin membrane lining the inside of the heart and blood vessels).

If dental professionals can screen for hypertension and transfer to primary care. Cardiologists, on the other hand, can screen for periodontal disease and refer patients to specialists. This will help with the detection and treatment of both conditions, which will both improve oral health and reduce the burden of hypertension and its complications.
Oral health strategies such as twice-daily brushing have been shown to be very effective in the management and prevention of common oral conditions. The results of our study suggest that they can also be a powerful and affordable tool to help prevent hypertension.
Follow Vinmec International General Hospital website to get more health, nutrition and beauty information to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones in your family.

Reference sources: healthline.com, webmd.com