If you're a male who is over 40 years of age, there are some health problems you shouldn't ignore. Problems such as hyperglycemia and low calcium can inadvertently damage your teeth, gums and jawbones over time. Ignoring your doctor or dentist's advice to take certain medications, perform different exercises or eat special foods may place you at risk for tooth loss and gum disease. Here are two health problems that affect your oral health and what you can do to protect it.
Hyperglycemia
If your medical doctor diagnoses you with hyperglycemia or high blood sugar, take special precautions with your oral care and health. Like diabetes, hyperglycemia is caused by a higher than normal blood glucose level. Excessive amounts of glucose in your blood damages the blood vessels in your body, including the arteries that support your gums and teeth roots.
There are 700 different types of oral bacteria your mouth could contain. The white blood cells in your blood keep bacteria under check by destroying the organisms before they infect your mouth. But high blood sugar interferes with this process by weakening the arteries in your mouth. Instead of fighting off bacteria, the white blood cells must help control the sugar in your arteries.
Your gums eventually weaken and develop gingivitis or some other bacterial infection. If the infection increases, your gums bleed or ooze pus when you brush and floss your teeth. It's possible for your gum infection to spread to your teeth roots. You should understand that gum infections and loose tooth roots can increase your risk for tooth loss. You can avoid these oral health problems by lowering your blood sugar levels.
One of the ways to lower your hyperglycemia is to eat better. Avoiding sugary snacks, such as granola bars and high fructose juices, can help you do it. Try blood sugar lowering snacks of chia seeds and almonds for lunch and in-between meals. Chia seeds and chopped almonds add great flavor to sugar-free yogurt shakes and smoothies.
Add slices of fresh, ripe avocadoes to your salads for dinner. Avocados contain healthy fats that lower high blood sugar and increase low calcium levels. Low calcium in the body is another factor you need to watch out for when it comes to your oral health.
Low Calcium Levels
Low calcium in the body isn't just a problem for women. Men need to monitor their calcium levels as well. Low calcium can lead to poor bone density or osteoporosis in men. Although women lose bone density or thickness earlier and faster than men, you're at risk for osteoporosis-related oral health problems if you don't have enough calcium in your body.
Calcium builds bone cells and tissues, as well as strengthens the blood cells and muscles in your body, including the tissues found in your jawbones. The muscles and bones of your jaws rely on calcium to chew food, support your teeth, and open and close your mouth.
Calcium also works with other bone-building minerals, such as phosphorus and magnesium, to prevent osteoporosis. Your jawbones can deteriorate or wear down without enough nutrients, which is why you should make a few changes in your diet.
If you don't have a problem consuming dairy products, try adding low-fat ricotta cheese to your meals. Ricotta is high in calcium and goes well with whole wheat pasta dishes and desserts, such as pecans and honey.
If you can't eat or drink dairy products, add kale, arugula or spinach to your salads, soups or vegetable dishes. Leafy green vegetables are high in calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. If you need more meal ideas to get the nutrients you need, ask your dentist for a list of calcium-rich foods that fit your dietary requirements.
If your medical doctor diagnoses you with a health problem, don't ignore them. Your health problems may affect your oral health. For more information about the effects of low calcium and high blood sugar on your oral health, make an appointment with your dentist today. You can also visit sites like http://www.desmoines-dentalassociates.com for more information about maintaining your oral health.
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