Older Women with Missing Teeth Have a Greater Risk of High Blood Pressure

If you are older and are missing teeth, your risk of blood pressure could be higher, according to a recent study in the US. The long-term study assessed postmenopausal women annually for 17 years and discovered a positive association between hypertension risk or high blood pressure and tooth loss. Postmenopausal women had a 20{3d585583018c717d513cb33366d157a7c4fd7dc5b884eb635a3412899d7c7b31} higher risk of developing hypertension compared to other women.

What Is the Reason for This Higher Risk?

There are several possible reasons for the association. One could be that people tend to change their diets to softer and more highly processed foods when they lose teeth. These foods could increase the risk of hypertension. Also, older women who are missing teeth may also be in a group who have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. Researchers think that measures such as improving dental hygiene amongst those at risk for tooth loss, alongside dietary modifications, weight loss if needed, physical activity and blood pressure monitoring could all help to reduce the risk of hypertension.

It’s entirely possible that tooth loss could be an important factor in developing hypertension and may serve as a warning for an increased risk of high blood pressure.