If you have a chronic illness, you likely have many uncomfortable symptoms that impact your life on a day-to-day basis. While you’re aware of all of these, did you know that your dental issues could be caused by your chronic illness, as well?
The connection between oral health and the rest of the body has been well researched. Dental problems such as Gum Disease tend to spread and affect areas of the body outside of the gums.
What’s not as intuitive is that chronic diseases can cause dental problems. You can do all you can to protect your teeth. You can brush your teeth twice a day, floss, use mouthwash, and regularly go to your dentist, but sometimes that isn’t enough to prevent dental problems.
When the cause of your dental problems is your chronic illness, you need to re-explore your treatment or management options.
There are certain chronic diseases that are more likely to cause dental problems than others. If you have one of these, you will want to consult with your dentist before you develop a problem.
A proactive treatment plan can help prevent the condition from beginning or becoming worse.
Chronic Illnesses that Cause Dental Problems
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular Problems such as Endocarditis
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Osteoporosis
- STDs
This list is not exhaustive. If you have any chronic illness, you will want to explore all possible side effects of it. It’s best to know what to look out for, below is a list of common dental problems that are often caused by chronic illnesses.
Types of Dental Problems Caused by Chronic Illnesses
- Gum Disease
- Infections
- Dry Mouth
- Cavities
- Mouth Sores
- Jaw Pain
- White lesions in the mouth
- Mouth ulcers
- Yeast Infection of the Mouth
As with the list of diseases, these are just some of the symptoms and problems that you may find. Any pain, discomfort, or lesions and discoloring may be cause for concern.
Prevention and Treatment Options
Just because you have a chronic disease does not mean you will have oral health problems. In fact, there are steps you can take to avoid future dental issues.
Starting with the basics, you should always take good care of your oral health. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, get regular checkups, drink water, and avoid sugary food and drinks.
Just taking care of your health will help guard you against potential problems down the road.
If you do have dental problems, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Come prepared for your dental appointment with questions, especially if you are worried about your chronic illness.
These are a few questions you can start with:
- What should I watch out for?
- What is the connection between my oral health and overall health?
- How can my condition be treated?
- How can I prevent developing complications?
If you are concerned that there is a connection between your chronic illness and your dental issues, schedule an appointment with our office today.
