Every six months, you visit the dentist for your biannual checkups and cleanings. During your appointment, they take X-rays, thoroughly clean your teeth, and examine the oral cavity to ensure that there aren’t any problems that need to be addressed. Though all these steps make sense to you, there’s one thing that doesn’t: why do dentists take blood pressure? Read on to learn about three reasons why this information is helpful to your dentist and how it may benefit your oral and overall health.
Reason #1: Understanding Your Anxiety
Many people experience fear or anxiety that revolves around going to the dentist. According to a 2021 article posted by Boston’s NPR news station WBUR, some studies suggest that as much as 75% of American adults suffer from some level of dental anxiety. If a patient has elevated blood pressure, this may be a sign that they’re dealing with a more advanced form of this contention and intervention may be necessary. Your dentist may be able to offer sedation to help you feel more relaxed. This will make your appointment safer, more comfortable, and easier to get through.
Reason #2: Frequent Health Screenings
Dentists are often the first professionals to notice the signs of more serious health problems, such as diabetes. This is because diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken, which increases pressure. This often causes the patient’s blood pressure to become elevated. Since this keeps nutrients from flowing properly and waste from exiting the body, it can also weaken the gums and bone, which puts patients at a higher risk of developing periodontal (gum) disease.
Uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to higher levels of blood sugar in the mouth fluids, which promotes the growth of the bacteria that can cause gum disease. Infections that result from untreated periodontal disease can also cause blood sugar to rise and make diabetes harder to control. Dental appointments are a great opportunity for common and potentially deadly conditions to be diagnosed and properly addressed early on.
Reason #3: Reactions to Local Anesthetic
If you’re preparing to undergo a dental procedure, you will likely need to be given a local anesthetic to numb your mouth and prevent pain or discomfort during treatment. Epinephrine, a medication found in most local anesthetics, helps the effects last longer. Unfortunately, it can also cause your blood pressure to rise. Your dental team may decide to take your blood pressure so they can confirm the dosages of this medicine and other ingredients that are needed to keep you safe throughout treatment.
From reducing stress while you’re being treated to identifying serious health conditions, there are many reasons why dentists take blood pressure. This precautionary measure will allow your dentist to identify the best ways to make you comfortable during treatment and will keep your oral and overall health in good shape!
About the Practice
Finding the right dentist for you and your family is easier said than done. Luckily, with Dr. Bobby Shirley, Dr. Clay Cannon, Dr. Jack Bickford, and their talented team at Distinctive Dentistry, your search is over! They offer exceptional oral health care for the whole family such as checkups and cleanings, restorative work, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency treatments. They can also identify signs of health issues in other parts of the body so you can receive the treatment you need as soon as possible. Call (770) 445-6606 or visit their website to learn more or to set up an appointment.
