Hypertension can put you at higher risk of certain dental issues, such as dry mouth and gum disea…

Hypertension can put you at higher risk of certain dental issues, such as dry mouth and gum disease. However, high blood pressure itself does not impact your oral health. Rather, it’s the medication you take to control it that can affect your teeth and gums. 

1. Enlarges Your Gums Some calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure have been known to cause gingival hyperplasia as a side effect, which can lead to painful gums. Gingival hyperplasia is when the gum tissue surrounding the teeth grows abnormally and becomes enlarged. Without treatment, the gum tissue could eventually grow so much that it completely covers your teeth.  Gum overgrowth makes it difficult to eliminate plaque and bacteria with regular brushing and flossing. As plaque builds up beneath the overgrown gum line, your mouth becomes more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. Gingival hyperplasia from blood pressure medication can also make your teeth hurt, and cause difficulty chewing. 

2. Causes Dry Mouth Some of the alpha and beta blockers used to treat hypertension and high blood pressure are among these medications.  People with dry mouth can’t produce enough saliva to sufficiently get rid of food particles and bacteria. The dry environment becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause extensive damage to your teeth before you get the chance to brush and floss. The bacteria also attack your gums, causing inflammation that eventually leads to...