When you find out that you have anemia, you will wonder what it means. You wonder what you can do about the condition, is it something that will last forever and how will it affect your body.
It can surprise many people to find out that anemia affects their body in many ways including their oral health. Learning more about this can help prevent problems from occurring.
Understanding Anemia
Anemia is a condition where there the body does not have enough red blood cells. The blood distributes vitamins, minerals and oxygen to the different parts. If there are not enough blood cells, it is harder to give all the parts of the body the nutrients they need.
There are several different types of anemia. They include iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia. Iron and other vitamins are essential for good oral health. The iron helps keep the teeth strong and the vitamins help keep the teeth and gums healthy.
If the teeth and do not get the nutrients they need because of anemia, they can suffer. They become more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. It can increase the risk of infection and can lead to ulcers and problems with the tongue. It is not enough to follow a good oral hygiene routine to maintain good oral health when you suffer from anemia. There are other steps to take.
What to Do
There are several ways to treat anemia. Increasing the amount of nutrient rich foods in the diet is one way. It is also possible to take iron or other supplements to increase the amount of these things in the body. The goal is to provide what the body needs for good oral health when it cannot do it on its own.
For more information about how to improve your oral health, contact our office to schedule an appointment today.
