The Links between Your Dental Health and General Health
Leeds City Dentalcare places great emphasis on preventative dental care. This is not only due to the fact that it can make your natural teeth last longer, but also because of the links between dental health and general health. There have been numerous research studies carried out into these links, and it’s surprising just how many general health conditions are now associated with dental health and dentist Leeds could be the first to spot something is wrong. Our surgery has put together a list of the top general health conditions, and the way they could affect your dental health.
Diabetes has one of the most well documented links with oral health, in particular gum disease. If you notice your gums bleed when you brush or floss then it’s time to make an appointment to come and see Dr David Brown or another of our dentists for diagnosis and treatment. Ignoring these signs can increase the risk of diabetes, and may make this condition worse for people who have already being diagnosed as diabetic.
Anaemia is something that can be diagnosed by your dentist, as if your tongue is particularly pale that it could be an indication that you are deficient in iron. This condition affects 20% of women so it’s much more prevalent than you might think.
Coeliac disease is often accompanied by mouth sores or mouth ulcers. If you have persistent mouth ulcers then it is well worth making an appointment with our Leeds surgery to try to determine the exact reason, especially as undiagnosed coeliac disease can negatively affect your teeth and bones.
Eating disorders can have a detrimental effect on dental health, and it’s not uncommon for dentists to pick up on the early symptoms of these disorders. Anorexia often means that sufferers are malnourished and this is something that can lead to a condition called dry mouth which is where insufficient saliva is produced, or which can cause bleeding gums. Bulimia can cause huge damage to the teeth as the acid from the stomach attacks the tooth enamel causing erosion and dental decay.
Heart disease has been linked with periodontal disease or advanced gum disease, and the reason for this is that the open wounds created by gum disease allow plaque bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Gum disease is an inflammatory condition, and it’s thought these plaque bacteria are able to create inflammation in arteries, contributing towards heart disease.
Acid reflux is another very common problem which can damage the teeth due to the acids entering the mouth. It is also though that gastroesophageal reflux disease could increase the risk of oesophageal cancer due to the fact that it erodes the oesophagus.
Alzheimer’s disease has also been linked to gum disease, as it’s been found patients with this condition have more bacteria related to gum disease in their brains. The theory is that these bacteria could cause inflammation in the brain resulting in damage.
Parkinson’s disease is a condition that often causes dry mouth. This is where the mouth is unable to produce sufficient saliva to keep it clean and comfortable. If you think you may have dry mouth then it’s well worth talking to the dental team at Leeds City Dentalcare regarding cosmetic dentistry in Leeds as we have lots of suggestions on how to cope with this condition but that will not only help you feel more comfortable, but which will also help protect your dental health.
Dr. David S Brown
David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.
