06 May Medical Conditions That Affect Your Teeth
During routine dental exams, dentists look for a lot more than just signs of cavities. At Dr. Saba and Associates, we want you to be aware of the early signs of many underlying medical conditions that affect your teeth and gums. Some prescription medications that treat these conditions can affect your oral health as well. If you’ve been diagnosed with any of the following medical conditions, frequent preventive dental care is essential to keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Six Medical Conditions That Can Affect Your Teeth and Gums
1: High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is extremely common in American adults. Many medications used to treat high blood pressure cause dry mouth as a side effect, which makes your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. High blood pressure also increases your risk of heart disease, which gum disease can worsen. Recent studies have shown that high blood pressure medication is less effective when you have gum disease, so it’s important to stay on top of your dental health with regular brushing and professional cleanings.
2: Diabetes
One of the symptoms of diabetes is high blood sugar, which weakens your body’s defenses against infection. This makes it more difficult for your mouth to fight off tooth decay and gum disease, and increases the chances of losing your teeth. Diabetes can also cause dry mouth and make you more susceptible to oral thrush. Controlling your diabetes and practicing good oral hygiene can help prevent the damage it can do to your teeth.
3: Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is another condition that weakens your body’s immune system. Because your gums become more vulnerable to infection with a weak immune system, you are more prone to gum disease if you have chronic kidney disease. Like kidney disease, gum disease is inflammatory, meaning it can cause painful swelling in your mouth.
4: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Another inflammatory disease that has been linked to gum disease is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). People with RA are more likely to experience bleeding gums and other signs of gum disease. It’s important to treat gum disease early with professional teeth cleanings, root planing, and scaling to prevent gum disease from progressing and causing irreversible damage. If you have any type of inflammatory disease, make sure to schedule frequent cleanings to prevent tooth loss.
5: Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a silent disease that causes your bones to become weak and fragile over time. If you don’t treat osteoporosis, it can cause serious bone injuries and even tooth loss due to a weakened jaw. Some signs of osteoporosis you may notice in your mouth are loose teeth or ill-fitting dentures.
6: Anemia
If you have pale gums, it may be a sign that you are anemic. Anemia is when you don’t have enough red blood cells to distribute oxygen, vitamins, and minerals throughout your body. Red blood cells help you build strong teeth and gums. When you’re anemic, your teeth become weak and more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease.
Teeth Cleanings in Sun Lakes
Drs. Saba and Romanin at Sun Lakes Dentistry have over 30 years of experience preventing and treating tooth decay and gum disease in patients with underlying conditions. If you’re worried about how your medical condition or prescription medications may affect your teeth, don’t hesitate to take preventive action. To schedule a professional cleaning and exam, give us a call at 480-895-2111 today.
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