Gingivitis Affects Blood Pressure Variability

Blood pressure is a thing of its own it fluctuates depending on the time of day, physical activity, and stress. And it can tell us a lot especially when it fluctuates too little, or too much. What’s known as blood pressure variability is a serious health marker. And surprisingly, it has something to do with the gums.

More precisely: with gingivitis.

An inflammation many people know and ignore. Gums are red, swollen, maybe they bleed. You think: it’ll go away. It doesn’t even hurt. But what often goes unnoticed is that the immune system is already in overdrive and it's affecting much more than just your gums.

Chronic inflammation even if it’s “just” in the mouth has systemic effects. It increases what’s known as the inflammatory load. That means: the body is constantly in a state of alarm, and that in turn impacts the autonomic nervous system the very system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure.

The result is measurable: blood pressure variability becomes dysregulated. Natural fluctuations become more erratic, more unstable. And this, in turn, is a risk factor for cardiovascular events strokes, heart failure.

You won’t notice it right away. There’s no pain, no flashing warning sign. Just a slow, biological shift in the body's internal regulation. All caused by an inflammation that could be easily treated if only it were taken seriously.

So what’s the takeaway? That oral care is more than just cosmetic. It’s preventive care for your blood pressure, your heart, your life.

And if you have regular gum bleeding, you shouldn't just go for dental cleanings. You might also want to check your blood pressure. And consider that there may be more connections than meet the eye.