Diseases That Can Cause Tooth Decay

No part of your body operates completely independently of all other parts, and your teeth are no different. Tooth decay can be brought on by a lot more than just inadequate oral hygiene. Tooth decay is frequently an indication or symptom of a much bigger problem, possibly indicative of a more dangerous condition developing in your body. As a matter of fact, there are several commonly-diagnosed diseases that are able to cause or accelerate your tooth decay.

When you schedule an appointment with your local dental professional for a check-up, such as those in our Del Mar dental office, we are checking for a lot more than just whether or not your teeth look good from the outside. If you have ever been curious as to why your dentist asks so many questions regarding your personal lifestyle and your full medical history, it is because they are working to build a complete picture of you as a person, in addition to what your oral health and mouth are saying. 

Diabetes

One of the more prevalent side effects of diabetes is dry mouth, which is caused by the reduction in your saliva production. In addition to being necessary for your mouth to feel comfortable, saliva also plays an important role in protecting your teeth from the harmful bacteria that breed tooth decay. If your mouth does not produce a sufficient amount of saliva, your teeth will be more exposed to harmful bacteria, and your odds of developing a cavity or cavities will be much higher.

As the bacteria that cause tooth decay continue to grow inside your mouth, your chance at developing gum disease also grows. Gum disease is the result of harmful bacteria that have been allowed to grow inside your mouth. About 25 percent of those who are diagnosed with diabetes will also eventually be diagnosed with gum disease.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders that have to do with your own body attacking parts of itself. The parts under attack could be anything from your major organs, such as your kidneys, or much smaller parts such as your salivary glands. A lot of these autoimmune diseases will have some kind of negative effect on your oral health. One autoimmune disease that is most frequently linked to oral health problems is Sjögren’s syndrome.

Sjögren’s syndrome lessens the quantity of saliva that your mouth is able to produce, causing the same side effects listed above for diabetes. In acute cases, those afflicted with this autoimmune disease might not be able to produce any saliva at all.

Your teeth have to be properly maintained if you want to keep your smile both beautiful and functional. The cosmetic dentistry treatments offered by Curtis L. Chan, DDS will help you obtain the beautiful smile you have always wanted and ensure that your teeth remain strong and your mouth stays healthy. 

For more information on procedures frequently used in cosmetic dentistry and your overall oral health, contact our Del Mar dental office at (858) 481-9090 to schedule an appointment.