Discover The Most Common Diseases Linked To Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is generally associated with poor oral health or a bad diet. This is because sugar in the food you eat reacts with bacteria in your mouth to create acid which attacks the enamel on your teeth. Over time this causes the enamel to wear down, allowing cavities to form. When left untreated these cavities become infected and can even cause the tooth to become loose or fall out. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, flossing regularly, and visiting a reputable Erskineville dentist is an effective approaches to preventing or dealing with decay. This helps you to keep your teeth in old age.

However, this is not the only cause of tooth decay. Recent studies have confirmed there is a link between overall health and oral health. For example, plaque building up in your mouth can transfer into your bloodstream and add to the plaque in your arteries, potentially narrowing them and causing cardiovascular issues. The same is also true, some diseases can contribute to the progression of tooth decay:

Diabetes

This isn’t that surprising as diabetes happens when your body no longer responds to insulin properly. It’s normally a result of a diet high in sugar which has flooded the insulin response and desensitized it over time. Having diabetes is more likely to trigger tooth decay as diabetics tend to suffer from dry mouth. This is due to a lack of saliva.

What you may not realize is that saliva doesn’t just make your mouth feel more comfortable. It also dilutes the acid in your mouth, reducing its ability to damage your teeth. Without enough saliva the acid can attack your teeth and gums, causing tooth decay and receding gums. Unfortunately, gum diseases actually allow blood sugar levels to rise which compounds the diabetes issue.

Eating Disorders

The main eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. Both can have a negative effect on your teeth. In most cases, the problem is a lack of nutrition. As sufferers avoid food their bodies aren’t getting the minerals and other nutrients they need. This leads to weakness in bones and teeth, making them more vulnerable to attack and decay.

A further issue exists for anyone suffering from bulimia. This condition makes people eat and then vomit in order to appear to be eating normally but not want to add any weight. When they vomit acid is brought up from the stomach, this can cling to the teeth and cause erosion of the enamel, contributing to tooth decay.

Immune System Problems

There are a number of issues that can occur with the immune system, these are generally referred to as autoimmune disorders. Many of these conditions have side effects and one of the most common is dry mouth. Just like with diabetics, dry mouth will lower your mouth’s ability to protect itself from attack. In effect, this will increase the likelihood of decay and infections. If you suffer from any of these conditions you need to take extra care of your diet and teeth. You should also visit your dentist at least once every six months.