There are so many studies and researches which link your oral health to your likelihood to develop hypertension or high blood pressure. However, without delving much into the scientific links that place oral health and hypertension in association with each other, the types of dental procedures you may elect to have could be determined by whether or not you have high blood pressure. If you know that you have high blood pressure, the dental procedure you were aiming to have today may be rescheduled to a later date if your dentist finds out that you have high blood pressure.
What has my blood pressure have anything to do with my dental health?
Simply put, a lot. The American Diagnostic Corporation has just released a white paper which states that individuals who have high blood pressure have an increased risk of having a myocardial infarction or a stroke while in the dentist’s chair. On top of this, hypertensive patients may have a negative reaction to local anesthetics which make use of vasoconstrictors. In general, vasoconstrictors make the lumen of your blood vessels appear narrower which can increase your blood pressure even more and even lead to heart arrhythmias or irregular heartbeat. One of the local anesthetics which contains vasoconstrictors or induces vasoconstriction includes epinephrine.
And the effects of your high blood pressure can also extend even after you’ve finished with your dental check-up. Some medications can impede with your ability to taste food properly and can give you a dry mouth. However, before you dismiss dry mouth as a very light condition, know that your saliva is crucial in keeping the growth of oral bacteria at bay. Hence, individuals with dry mouths or who are unable to secrete saliva have an increased risk of having cavities and sporting a funky breath. Finally, beta-blockers, which are often prescribed to people who have hypertension can cause gum overgrowth. The excess gum tissue can impede with your ability to chew properly. Corrective surgery is often necessary in order to treat the overgrowth of gum tissues.
Can my dentist still treat me even if I have hypertension?
Patients who have hypertension, especially those whose blood pressures are really high, cannot be treated by dentists unless they have received the all clear from their doctors. Disclosure is very important; before your dentist tries to even pitch a treatment plan to you, tell him or her that you have high blood pressure and list down all of the drugs that you are currently taking. For as long as your blood pressure is normal before the start of the procedure and remains normal all throughout, and you’re taking anti-anxiety drugs and local anesthetics, you shouldn’t have any problem.
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