There is increasing evidence identifying a close relationship between oral health and our general state of wellbeing. Several studies have revealed a link between the health of our mouth and the symptoms and development of multiple pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, kidney disease or even Alzheimer’s.

A  study published in the journal Hypertension by the American Heart Association, carried out by researchers at the Università degli Studi dell’Aquila in Italy in 2018, identified the relationship between oral health and blood pressure.

The study was based on the analysis of medical and dental examinations of more than 3,600 people with hypertension or high blood pressure. The results concluded that people who maintain good gum health have lower levels of blood pressure, and in turn respond better to treatments to control it.

In addition, the findings also revealed that people with periodontitis or periodontal disease are 20% less likely to maintain normal blood pressure levels. According to the American Heart Association, the target blood pressure range for hypertension should be less than 130/80mmHg.

The research also revealed that people treated for hypertension, who had severe periodontitis, had a systolic blood pressure of 3mmHg higher on average than those who did not. And in the case of untreated hypertensive individuals, the presence of periodontal disease increased this difference to 7mmHg.

It is also interesting that the study of Is Systemic Inflammation a Missing Link Between Periodontitis and Hypertension? published in 2021 by researchers from the Faculty of Dentistry of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya and the Eastman Dental Institute University College London, suggested that systemic inflammation could be the determining factor linking periodontal disease and high blood pressure.

The results of the study corroborate that people with periodontitis are 60% more likely to suffer from hypertension than those with healthy gums, and show elevated markers of systemic inflammation in patients with periodontal disease, such as C-reactive protein and white blood cell count.

The general conclusion that can be drawn from these studies is that periodontal disease interferes with blood pressure control therapies. For this reason, patients suffering from periodontitis require higher blood pressure control and, in turn, those suffering from hypertension can help to improve their condition through dental treatments aimed at counteracting gum disease.

These findings take on a different meaning among older people, as the general trend indicates that from the age of 60 onwards there is a definite increase between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

While systolic blood pressure tends to rise above 140mmHg, diastolic blood pressure tends to remain at or fall below 90mmHg, mainly as a consequence of narrowing of the arteries due to arteriosclerosis and the influences of certain hormones.

Given the high prevalence of both hypertension and periodontal disease among the elderly, and that in many cases, we find ourselves with multiple pathologies, oral health care becomes something of significant importance.

Therefore, at Lura Care we want to insist on the need for a preventive approach and continuous monitoring of the conditions of the elderly, as well as the need for a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach in collaboration with other medical specialties. This is the only way to ensure not only good oral health, but also the general health and wellbeing of the elderly.