5 Medical Conditions That Can Affect Your Oral Health
One of the most interesting things about the human body is how different parts of our bodies work with each other in surprising ways. For example, there are a number of medical conditions that wouldn’t seem to have anything to do with oral but can actually have an affect. If you’re worried about these or other medical conditions affecting your oral health, call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161.
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Acid reflux
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Kidney disease
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Stomach ulcers
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High blood pressure
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Diabetes
It’s not uncommon for a dentist to be the first one to notice the symptoms of acid reflux. One way to tell if you may have this issue is if your back teeth are more eroded than the rest of your teeth. If they are, then the cause may be stomach acid dissolving the enamel on your teeth.
If you do have acid reflux, you can protect your teeth by rinsing frequently to reduce the amount of acid in your mouth. You may want to brush your teeth more frequently but the bristles of your toothbrush can actually further damage enamel that’s been made soft from the acid. At night, don’t eat for a few hours before going to bed. Avoid acidic food and drinks as well as caffeine and alcohol.
If you notice that your breath smells like fish or ammonia for no reason, then it could be a sign of kidney disease. This is a serious condition that could be fatal when it’s not treated. Once your kidneys aren’t able to filter out waste and toxins from your body, the result may be a urine-like smell to your breath. This is a sure sign that you need to visit your doctor or California dentist.
Ulcers, which are essentially sores in your stomach or intestines, are often caused by a certain kind of bacteria that makes the protective coating of your stomach weaker. Note that ulcers won’t likely affect your oral health, but the medicine that’s used for them often turns your tongue black. The good news is that this will go away when you complete treatment.
25% of Americans deal with high blood pressure. Unfortunately, one of the medications that’s often prescribed to treat high blood pressure can cause your gums to swell and come up over your teeth. This is an issue that we can keep an eye on when you come in for your regular dental exam and cleaning.
Diabetes can cause a lot of issues, despite the fact that many people just think of it as a disease that affects blood sugar. The truth is that it’s an inflammatory disease and it can increase your chance of losing teeth, getting gum disease, and having cavities. If you have diabetes, make sure you let us know at California Dental Group when you visit us, and be sure to brush and floss extra diligently. If you have other concerns, we can discuss them during your next appointment. Call (800) 407-0161 to set one up.
