When visiting the dentist, it is common to have your blood pressure taken. While this may seem like an odd practice for a dental visit, it is actually an important part of the checkup process. Blood pressure readings can provide valuable information about your overall health, and they can help the dentist identify any potential risks that may affect your dental treatment.
Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted by your blood against the walls of your arteries. It is typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and it is expressed as two numbers: systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, and diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.