I had a tooth break during extraction, the root has remained in my upper jaw for years, maybe 8 years. From time to time my gum gets tender and sore and there seems to be what looks like a white head, way up on the gums. Most of the time it doesnt bother me. My dentist has been keeping an eye on it and x-rays it from time to time. He says it is very painful to have that root removed and doesn't advise it. He has never seen the whitehead thing as it goes away quickly. I have been having a lot of trouble with my blood pressure. Presently taking 3 meds and still too high, at worst 150/90, doctors are looking into possible causes. Any chance that broken off tooth root could be part of it? I understand rotten teeth or gums can lead to a stroke or heart attack. I take good care of my teeth and gums with routine brushing and dental visits, but have had to have a lot of work done on my teeth and now they tend to crack. I am 65, female.