When you think of looking after your teeth, brushing, flossing, and cutting back on sugar probably come to mind. But did you know your mouth can be a window to the rest of your body? Many medical conditions can impact your oral health.
Whilst focusing on having good general dental hygiene is important, if you struggle with one of these health conditions, you may need to try a more tailored approach.
The surprising dental health connections
Anemia
Often linked to low iron, anemia occurs when the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin to carry oxygen effectively. When our red blood cells aren’t healthy, it can show up in unexpected ways in the mouth:
- Pale gums
- Frequent and painful mouth sores or ulcers
- Smooth, tender or sore tongue
If you’ve been feeling unusually tired and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to speak to your doctor and dentist to prevent further issues and manage your pain.
Acid Reflux (GORD)
It’s completely normal to experience heartburn after a heavy or spicy meal, but chronic acid reflux, or Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a medical condition that causes stomach acid to travel up into the mouth. Over time, these acids can erode enamel, cause sensitivity, thinning of teeth and risk of decay.
To protect your oral health, you shouldn’t brush your teeth after a reflux episode because you’re simply spreading the acid over your teeth and accidentally scrubbing away your enamel. Instead, thoroughly rinse your mouth and wait at least 30-60 minutes before brushing your teeth. To prevent reflux at night, try to avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bed and steer clear of late-night caffeine or alcohol.
Anxiety and Depression
Taking care of your mental health is so important, and we understand how much routines can be affected when you’re in a tough place. Here are some tips to keep your mouth healthy during these difficult times:
- On days when brushing feels difficult, rinsing with water or mouthwash can be a helpful first step. When you can, aim to return to brushing with fluoride toothpaste, as this is still the best daily protection for your teeth.
- Stress and anxiety can trigger unconscious teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw clenching. If you wake up with a sore jaw, it might be beneficial to contact your dentist to fit a comfortable, custom mouthguard.
Neurological conditions, including Huntington’s Disease
Having a neurological medical condition affects how your muscles and body move and can make looking after your teeth incredibly difficult. We recommend using an electric toothbrush with adapted handles or an easy grip and a water flosser or floss picks to make daily dental hygiene easier and safer.
Diabetes and blood pressure medications
Diabetes is known to affect blood sugar, but many people don’t know that high blood sugar can affect gum health as it weakens your immune system. This makes you more susceptible to severe gum disease (periodontitis), slow-healing oral infections and even tooth loss.
High blood pressure medication is used to keep your heart healthy, but it can also affect your gum health. Blood pressure medications can cause gingival enlargement in some people. This happens when your gums become swollen, puffy, and begin to grow over your teeth. It increases decay risks because it creates tight spaces that are hard to clean.
If you’ve received a diabetes or blood pressure diagnosis, it’s important to keep your dentist in the loop so you can stay ahead of potential gum inflammation and infections, ensuring your gums and teeth stay healthy and clean.
Kidney Disease
Your kidneys’ job is to filter out waste from your body, so when they aren’t working properly, toxins can build up in your bloodstream causing an ammonia-like or metallic taste and smell that brushing alone can’t fix. It can also lead to painful and inflamed gums. If your dentist is aware of your diagnosis, they can:
- Keep a close eye on your gum health.
- Provide targeted rinses to help manage unpleasant tastes and dry mouth.
A safe environment for all your dental needs
While your dentist can help identify changes in your mouth, any new or ongoing symptoms should also be discussed with your GP or specialist.
If you’ve had a recent diagnosis, have a current medical condition, or are experiencing any concerning oral symptoms, please don’t hesitate to let the Gosford Family Dentists team know. We want to give you the most personalised and comfortable care possible. Book your dental appointment online or give our friendly team a call today on 4325 3221 for more information.
