Our teeth are vital for chewing and speaking, so it’s important to look after their health. However, certain health conditions can negatively affect our teeth. Being aware of these and taking preventative action is key to maintaining good dental health.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching teeth. It often happens during sleep, so you may be unaware you’re doing it. Bruxism puts excessive force on the teeth, causing attrition (wearing down of tooth surfaces), fractures, and mobility of teeth. It can also cause jaw pain, headaches and damage to dental work like crowns or bridges.
Stress and anxiety are common triggers for bruxism. Managing these through exercise, relaxing activities before bed and avoiding stimulants like caffeine near bedtime can help reduce bruxism. If it persists, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard to protect your teeth during the night. There are also treatments like Botox for the jawline. Many people that grind their teeth end up with a square jawline, which jawline slimming treatments can correct. Hampstead Aesthetics jawline slimming Botox is an option if this affects you.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
When stomach acid frequently flows back up the oesophagus, it’s known as GERD or acid reflux. The acidic nature of the stomach contents leads to erosion of tooth enamel when this fluid comes into contact with teeth. Enamel loss causes teeth to appear yellow, translucent or ‘chalky’. It also makes teeth more sensitive and prone to decay and cracking.
Lifestyle changes like losing weight, avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals and sleeping with the head elevated can alleviate GERD symptoms. Medications that reduce stomach acid production are usually prescribed if symptoms are frequent and severe. Rinsing with water and chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help neutralise acids.
Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are the most well-known eating disorders. Limited food intake in anorexia leads to nutritional deficiencies that keep teeth and gums from developing properly. Frequent self-induced vomiting in bulimia exposes teeth to stomach acids which damage the enamel.
Other oral health effects include tooth decay, gum disease, teeth sensitivity, cracking and erosion from stomach acids. Seeking therapy and joining support groups are important for managing the underlying psychological issues in eating disorders. Dentists can help maintain oral health during treatment.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin properly leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Poor blood sugar control is linked to gum disease, fungal infections and mouth ulcers. It also increases the risk of tooth decay and abscesses.
These dental problems stem from the body’s inflammatory response to excess blood glucose. Maintaining control of blood sugar levels via medication, diet and exercise helps lessen the risk of oral health complications. Regular dental visits enable early treatment.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can exacerbate dental problems like gingivitis (gum inflammation and bleeding). Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy can erode tooth enamel. Food cravings and snacking frequently on sugary or acidic foods increase the chance of cavities.
Daily oral hygiene, using fluoride toothpaste, eating healthy and visiting the dentist for a check-up and cleaning can prevent oral health issues. Necessary dental work is best done in the 2nd trimester before the 3rd trimester when reclining is more difficult.
Regular dental check ups can help detect problems before they become more serious. Try to schedule an appointment at least twice a year.
Many common health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and even stress, can negatively affect oral health. Conditions like dry mouth, gum disease, and tooth decay are often linked to these underlying problems. Maintaining both good overall health and oral hygiene practices is key to preventing these dental issues and ensuring long-term dental well-being.