Reduce blood pressure by keeping to a healthy weight

Reduce blood pressure by keeping to a healthy weight

Being a healthy weight is very important in helping to control your blood pressure. If you are overweight, losing weight will help to reduce blood pressure.

Your doctor or nurse will be able to advise you about your weight and tell you if you are a healthy weight or not. To do this, they will often use a calculation called the Body Mass Index (BMI), which tells you what weight you should be for your height.

You can calculate your own body mass index. There are a number of BMI calculators on the internet, or you can calculate it yourself. To do this, you need to measure your height in metres and your weight in kilograms:

·         Divide your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in metres)

·         Then divide the number by your height (in metres) again.

If you are overweight, losing weight should help to reduce blood pressure and lower your risk of other health problems, such as diabetes. Keeping to a healthy weight is a very important way to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.

What your body mass index means

If your body mass index (BMI) is:

·         less than 18.5 – you are ‘underweight’. You may need to gain weight

·         18.5-24.9 – you are in the ‘healthy weight’ range. By eating healthily you should be able to stay in the range.

·         25-29.9 – you are ‘overweight’. Aim to lose some weight for your health's sake, or at least prevent further weight gain

·         30-35 – you are ‘obese’. Losing weight will improve your health

·         more than 35 – you are ‘very obese’. Visit your doctor for a health check, as you may need extra help to manage your weight and health.

The benefits of being a healthy weight

Being your ‘ideal weight’ will mean that you have the energy to do the things you want to do, and can enjoy a varied diet. It also means that you are not putting unwanted strain on your heart and arteries. Your BMI (body mass index) is a useful guide to finding a healthy, comfortable weight for you.

Lifestyle changes

1.    Cut your salt intake to less than 6g (0.2oz) a day. ...

2.    Eat a healthy, low-fat, balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. ...

3.    Be active: being physically active is one of the most important things you can do to prevent or control high blood pressure. ...

4.    Cut down on alcohol. ...

5.    Lose weigh

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How Is Gum Recession Treated?

Mild gum recession may be able to be treated by your dentist by deep cleaning the affected area. During the deep cleaning -- also called tooth scaling and root planing -- plaque and tartar that has built up on the teeth and root surfaces below the gum line is carefully removed and the exposed root area is smoothed to make it more difficult for bacteria to attach itself. Antibiotics also may be given to get rid of any remaining harmful bacteria.

If your gum recession cannot be treated with deep cleaning because of excess loss of bone and pockets that are too deep, gum surgery may be required to repair the damage caused by gum recession.

What Type of Surgery Is Used to Treat Gum Recession?

The following surgical procedures are used to treat gum recession:

Pocket depth reduction: During this procedure, the dentist or periodontist (gum doctor) folds back the affected gum tissue, removes the harmful bacteria from the pockets, and then snugly secures the gum tissue in place over the tooth root, thus eliminating the pockets or reducing their size.

Regeneration: If the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed as a result of gum recession, a procedure to regenerate lost bone and tissue may be recommended. As in pocket depth reduction, your dentist will fold back the gum tissue and remove the bacteria. A regenerative material, such as a membrane, graft tissue, or tissue-stimulating protein, will then be applied to encourage your body to naturally regenerate bone and tissue in that area. After the regenerative material is put in place, the gum tissue is secured over the root of the tooth or teeth

Medical Treatments for Receding Gums

If your receding gums are due to mild periodontitis, your dentist may treat you by performing deep cleaning of your teeth, which involves root planing and tooth scaling to remove tartar and plaque on the tooth surfaces and beneath your gum line. Antibiotics may be used to kill harmful bacteria.

Severe gum recession with bone loss and deep pockets may require surgery to repair damage.

The following procedures may be used in treating gum recession:

1. Regeneration of Lost Bone

This procedure involves folding back gum tissue, removing bacteria and applying a material (a membrane, a tissue-stimulating protein or a graft tissue) used to regenerate gums and bone naturally. The gum is secured back over the root of your teeth.

2. Pocket Depth Reduction

This procedure involves folding back gum tissue, removing harmful bacteria from tooth pockets, and securing the gum back over tooth roots, to eliminate or reduce.

3. Soft Tissue Graft

This involves tissue grafting, that is, taking soft tissue from the roof of your mouth, which is sewn to the gum surrounding your exposed tooth root.

Your dentist will recommend the appropriate treatment, depending in the severity of your gum problem. You can refer to the webmd website for more details of surgeries on receding gums

Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

Gum infection (periodontitis) is a common condition that leads to receding gums. Gum deterioration occurs when chronic infection affects the tissues and bones around the teeth. Many people ask “Can receding gums grow back?” because receding gums not only look unhealthy, but also unattractive. The good news is that you can try to improve oral hygiene to stop gums from receding and there are other ways to stimulate its growth. More importantly, ask your dentist about gum health.

Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

Gums are soft tissues that normally cover the bones holding the teeth in place as well as the roots of the teeth. Gums recede when they shrink and appear to be drawn back, resulting in the roots of the teeth becoming visible. This happens when gum infection is not treated, or when you brush your teeth aggressively. Other factors that could lead to gum recession include use of tobacco, hormonal changes and teeth grinding.

In mild cases, natural remedies may help improve receding gums. While it’s possible to reverse receding gums (bring the gums back to the original place), severe cases must be seen and treated by a dentist for better results.

Natural Remedies to Reverse Receding Gums

1. Maintain Proper Dental Hygiene

Brush your teeth using gentle, not aggressive strokes, and circular motion. Avoid pushing the gums upward but gently brush them along gum lines to remove bacteria that cause gingivitis. Use a small-headed toothbrush with a soft bristles. You may use a motorized toothbrush, which has a smaller head and brushes in controlled motion. Regular flossing is also recommended, since it effectively removes plaque between teeth and around gums. Dentists recommend flossing and brushing after every meal to prevent gum disease.

2. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of nutrients such as vitamin C, which is important to maintain gum health. Vitamin C reduces inflammation from gum disease and promotes gum regeneration. Eat fresh fruits, such as strawberries and pineapple, and vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus, which are vitamin-rich foods.

3. Use a Germicidal Mouth Rinse

Rinse your mouth with mouthwash containing a few drops of essential oils (peppermint, clove, or sage) for about one minute. When done regularly this can help control gum infection that causes receding gums. Water with hydrogen peroxide also works to reduce bacterial growth and promote dental health.

4. Drink Lots of Plain Water for Cleaning and Healing

You can also keep gums healthy by drinking plain water (even tap water) instead of sugary beverages. Use plain water to swish around the mouth after eating to remove particles of food that may be left between the teeth and gums. Repeat this procedure as often as you can to have a clean mouth and teeth and to promote healing of gums.

5. Try Oiling Pulling

Try this Ayurvedic technique called oil pulling, which is believed to reverse gum recession and to promote gum growth. Take one tablespoon of either sesame oil or virgin coconut oil and swish around in your mouth. Pull or suck the oil through your teeth for several minutes until it becomes white and thin. Spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with water. Do this thrice a day before meals.

6. More Remedies

Other ways to keep gums healthy and encourage them to grow back include taking supplements such as calcium for bone and dental health, ginkgo biloba to improve blood circulation, vitamin C , coenzyme Q10 to promote cell renewal, and zinc to enhance immunity.

Experts also recommend avoiding sugary beverages, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, and food products made from white flour.

Watch a video for natural receding gums remedies: