Anemia and Your Oral Health

At Smiles by Shields, we are committed to your total body health. And your dental health has everything to do with how the rest of your body functions. Some diseases such as anemia can cause long lasting damage not only to your teeth, but to your mouth and throat as well. But with education and intervention, Dr. Tiffany Shields can help prevent long lasting damage. 

Anemia occurs when the body is deficient in iron and can’t produce enough healthy red blood cells. Those red blood cells are necessary to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, so lacking red blood cells can make the organs work harder and take longer to recover after strenuous activity.

The body uses iron to build healthy skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Common symptoms of anemia seen in the mouth includes sores, reduced number and size of tastebuds, burning tongue and mouth, discoloration, and oral infections. Infections that start in the throat and mouth areas can quickly spread throughout the rest of the body and cause more severe health concerns. Regular flossing prevents buildup of bacteria and can lower the risk of illness.

If you’re suffering from anemia, contact Dr. Tiffany Shields today for more information on how you can protect your teeth and gums as you work to rebuild your body’s red blood cell supply.