Vital Smiles: Why Does My Dentist Take My Blood Pressure?

You probably already know that a daily at-home dental hygiene routine is key to preventing cavities and gum disease. However, having a checkup with your dentist every six months is important, too. Regular visits allow them to monitor your condition and address any areas of concern before they can progress into anything more serious.

Before your appointment begins, you might notice that your dentist starts by taking your blood pressure. You’ve probably come to expect this routine step when you see your primary care physician, but why does your dentist need to know your vitals? Continue reading to learn more about it!

Why Does My Dentist Need to Know My Blood Pressure?

You may not always realize it, but your oral health can significantly impact your general well-being. For instance, if you have advanced periodontitis, it can eventually enter your bloodstream and contribute to other more severe conditions like diabetes or heart problems. Your dentist is aware of this, and although your smile is their primary concern, they don’t want to do anything that might hurt you in other ways.

Fortunately, your blood pressure can reveal much about your current medical condition, and what’s normal for you might not be for someone else. Regularly tracking your vitals during standard appointments allows your dentist to establish a baseline from which to work. That way, if there are sudden or unexpected changes during an appointment, they will be aware of it and can make the necessary adjustments to avoid harming you.

What Blood Pressure Is Too High for Dental Work?

The range for what’s considered healthy can differ from person to person based on their unique circumstances. However, most providers consider anything 140/90 or above to be ‘high blood pressure.’ Also, if your systolic number (on top) is greater than 140 or the diastolic number (the bottom one) is more than 90, you might have high blood pressure regardless of the other statistic.

If your blood pressure is too high, your dentist might need to adjust your treatment plan. For example, they may need to consider an alternative sedation medication that won’t be as risky to your heart rate. In other cases, they may need to postpone a major procedure and wait until your blood pressure drops before they can try again.

As you can see, tracking your vitals at each appointment is a simple but effective way for your provider to ensure your ongoing safety!

About the Author

Dr. Prachi Shah has been helping people of all ages build and maintain happy, healthy smiles since 2007. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry, and with 17 years of experience, there’s no problem too minor or complex for her to tackle. She puts patients first and offers many modern amenities to help put you at ease, including a coffee bar, blankets, and headphones. Then, she utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to identify and resolve any potential areas of concern. If you’d like a checkup and cleaning, you can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 860-2222.