When you visit your dentist for a routine checkup or a restorative treatment, they may take your blood pressure at the beginning of the appointment. On the surface, this might seem odd. Why would your dentist care about this information? But the truth of the matter is that measuring this vital sign can be an important step for your dental care. Below are 4 reasons why your dentist checks your blood pressure.
1. It Can Help Ensure Safety
Some patients find visiting the dentist stressful, especially if they’re undergoing advanced procedures such as dental implant placement. Stressful situations can lead to a brief spike in blood pressure levels. This can potentially be dangerous if your blood pressure is already high. As such, your dentist needs to check your blood pressure to make sure that it’s safe to move forward with the treatment in question.
2. It Gives Your Dentist an Opportunity to Screen for Hypertension
Hypertension is another term for high blood pressure. The condition tends to develop slowly over time and often has no obvious symptoms. When left unaddressed, hypertension can increase your risk for heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues.
Dental visits can be an excellent opportunity to screen for hypertension because many people see their dentist more frequently than they see their regular doctor. Checking for high blood pressure at biannual dental checkups and cleanings can increase your chances of having the issue identified and addressed while it’s still in its early stages.
3. It Guides Decisions Regarding Local Anesthetic
Before certain procedures, your dentist may numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. Said anesthetic will often contain epinephrine, which can temporarily increase your blood pressure. If you already have elevated blood pressure, exposure to epinephrine can be dangerous. Thus, checking your blood pressure helps confirm that it’s safe to administer a local anesthetic in your case.
4. It Gives Your Dentist a Better Picture of Your Overall Health
Oral health and overall health are more closely related than many people realize. For example, untreated gum disease is often linked to raised blood pressure levels and an increased risk of heart problems. Measuring your blood pressure gives your dentist a more complete picture of your overall health and allows them to adjust the care they provide accordingly.
In short, having your blood pressure measured at the dentist’s office can help you stay safe in the dental chair and can yield crucial information for protecting your health.
About the Author
Dr. Deval Parmar initially studied dentistry in India at MP Dental College. After moving to the United States, she earned a dental degree at the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. She currently belongs to the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. At Archway Dental, she offers comprehensive care that takes full advantage of the latest dental technology. To schedule your next routine dental appointment with Dr. Parmar at her practice in McKinney, visit her website, use her online scheduling tool, or call (972) 972-4646.