Loss Of Teeth Increases The Risk Of Hypertension, Heart Attack, Stroke

Loss of teeth increases the risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke

Scientists speculate that tooth loss can lead to dietary changes that increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.

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Older women who have lost all their teeth are at higher risk of developing hypertension, according to a study by Buffalo University and published in the American Journal of Hypertension. Its goal was to determine the relationship between oral hygiene and hypertension, which, in turn, can lead to myocardial infarction and stroke.

Numerous studies have shown a link between periodontal disease and tooth loss in hypertension, but the nature of the relationship remains unclear.

The study participants were 36,692 postmenopausal women as part of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. The women underwent annual dental and medical examinations for hypertension, ranging from the initial periodontal assessment in 1998 to 2015.

After analyzing the results, the researchers found a positive association between the loss of all teeth and the risk of high blood pressure in postmenopausal women. In particular, these women had an approximately 20% higher risk of developing hypertension during follow-up than women with their own teeth. The association was stronger among young women and women with a lower body mass index.

While scientists are unsure of the reasons for the link between the two, they believe tooth loss can lead to dietary changes that increase the risk of developing hypertension.

“We are continuing to investigate the underlying causes of the link between tooth loss and hypertension. Further research into the effects of tooth loss on eating habits, inflammation, and bacterial communities in the mouth may provide us with a deeper understanding of this relationship,”said study co-author Joshua Gordon.

The study suggests that older women who have lost their teeth represent a group with a higher risk of developing hypertension.

“These data suggest that tooth loss may be an important factor in the development of hypertension. Further research can help us identify the underlying mechanisms that are associated with these two common diseases,”said Jean Wactawski-Wende, one of the study's authors.

To reduce the likelihood of developing hypertension, researchers recommend that women at risk of tooth loss improve oral hygiene, as well as take preventive measures - more careful monitoring of blood pressure, changing diet, physical activity and maintaining a normal weight.