Regular dentist visits and daily dental care habits make a major difference in the health of your teeth. However, other factors sometimes come into play. Illnesses and conditions affecting other parts of your body can also have consequences for your teeth. Here are a few examples of the ways your bodily health is linked to your dental health — and what you can do about it.

Dental Care for Patients with Health Conditions

Diabetes

Diabetes hurts your teeth in several ways. It causes inflammation and slows healing, which increases your risk of gum disease, and it also causes dry mouth, which encourages bacteria activity and prevents your mouth from cleaning itself. Controlling your blood sugar can help minimize symptoms. You should also drink water to wash away bacteria, acid, and food debris.

Anemia

If you have temporary or chronic anemia, your mouth heals more slowly, since your gums aren't getting enough oxygen. This creates an increased risk of gum disease, which can lead to cavities on the vulnerable roots of your teeth. If not treated quickly, these symptoms can eventually result in tooth loss.

Eating Disorders

In addition to depriving your body of the nutrients it needs to heal and maintain your gums, eating disorders like bulimia can involve frequent vomiting. This exposes your teeth to strong stomach acid, which will erode their enamel.

TMJ

Temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMJ, affect the jaw joint. In some cases they can change the way your bite closes. This can cause unusual wear on teeth that are meeting at a new angle. In extreme cases, you may see the enamel wear away to expose the underlying dentin, which is softer and more vulnerable to damage and decay.

If you need dental care that takes your medical conditions into account, schedule an appointment with Schaible Dental Group in Saint Peters, MO. Serving St. Charles County, they offer orthodontic, restorative, and preventive dentistry, as well as free dental implant consultations. They're also available for emergency dental care, such as root canals. Learn more about their services online, and call (636) 279-1633 to schedule an appointment.