5 Medical Conditions that Can Affect Your Teeth

There are a number of different medical conditions that can affect your overall oral health.

When you go to the dentist for your routine dental exam, your dentist will check for more than just cavities. Your mouth can actually signal problems that are going on in the rest of your body. From your lungs to your heart and your immune system, be aware of 5 health conditions linked to tooth and gum disease.

5 Medical Conditions that Can Harm Your Mouth

1. Gastroesophageal reflux, commonly known as acid reflux, can affect your teeth. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid or bile flows upwards into the food pipe. The result of powerful stomach acid in your mouth causes erosion on your back teeth because it dissolves the enamel. Brushing your teeth or rinsing vigorously with water during the day can reduce the effect of acid on your teeth. To prevent nighttime reflux, avoid eating before bed and avoid acidic foods and caffeine, and alcohol.
2. High Blood Pressure can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Some of the medications used to lower blood pressure can cause unwanted side effects such as gingival enlargement, which is a condition in which your gums swell and begin to grow over your teeth.
3. It is believed that there is a link between heart disease and oral health. Although not completely understood, if you suffer from gum disease, you are two times more likely to have heart disease. The idea is that bacteria from your gums can travel through your body, reaching your heart and causing cardiovascular issues. Therefore, the healthier you keep your mouth, the lower your risk of heart disease may be.
4. Diabetes can cause severe gum disease. Diabetes may cause some people’s teeth to pull away from the gums, which can make them loose and even fall out. If you have diabetes and experience this problem, you need to work with a specialist to help you keep it under control with a healthy diet and good oral hygiene.
5. There is a link between severe gum problems and chronic kidney disease. Long-term kidney disease can lead to several health problems, including heart disease, poor bone health, and high blood pressure. All of these conditions can cause gum disease. Patients with kidney disease need to have good oral care as a minor infection in your mouth could develop into a more serious problem.

General Dentistry St. Louis

For more than 20 years, The Dental Anesthesia Center has been a general dentistry office unique to the field of Sleep Dentistry. We specialize in helping patients of all ages achieve good oral health. We value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver the gentle dental care that you deserve from sedation dentists in St. Louis. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.