Malnutrition affects every part of the body, but some of the first oral symptoms include swollen and bleeding gums. At this point, the damage is reversible, if you simply start getting enough nutrients and minerals in your body.
The first signs of malnutrition in your mouth include tooth decay, inflamed and bleeding gums, and oral infections. However, prolonged malnutrition can lead to severely receding gums, advanced gum disease, bone loss, and tooth loss. All of these conditions can turn around and lead to a worse state of malnutrition.
The other oral symptoms include cracked and red lips, inflammation of the lining of the oral cavity and the tongue, oral ulcers, cracks at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis), and a sore throat. The effects of iron deficiency are similar to those of the vitamin B deficiency.
If your diet is low in essential nutrients, your mouth tissues may be unable to fight infections that lead to periodontal disease, which is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Healthy lifestyle choices, including a well-balanced diet, can help prevent tooth decay, infection, and gum disease.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C strengthens your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth. It can protect against gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and can prevent your teeth from loosening. Did you know that many animals (like elephants and dogs) create vitamin C in their bodies, even though humans can't?
Yes, people with a vitamin C deficiency may be more prone to issues such as gum overgrowth, swelling, bleeding, and periodontal disease. Research suggests that people who have vitamin C deficiencies, particularly in the presence of a metabolic syndrome, are more prone to bleeding and infected gums.
Research has linked oral health problems such as periodontal or gum disease to many health conditions, including diabetes, heart and kidney disease, Alzheimer's, asthma, osteoporosis, and cancer. Dr. Mariotti says there are more than 120 conditions that have been associated with dental problems.
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden. It starts with swollen, red, and bleeding gums.
Causes of gum disease
Gum disease can be caused by a number of factors, but poor oral hygiene is the most common cause. Poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing your teeth properly or regularly, can cause plaque to build up on your teeth.
Oral signs and symptoms, in- cluding glossitis, angular cheilitis, recurrent oral ulcer, oral candidiasis, diffuse erythema- tous mucositis and pale oral mucosa,4,5 offer the dentist an opportunity to participate in the diagnosis of this condition.
These include, but are not limited to, Protein Energy Malnutrition, Scurvy, Rickets, Beriberi, Hypocalcemia, Osteomalacia, Vitamin K Deficiency, Pellagra, Xerophthalmia, and Iron Deficiency.
Other oral manifestations that can be detected as a result of vitamin B6 deficiency is periodontal disease, a burning sensation, and sore tongue. Lastly, vitamin B12 deficiency can show signs of angular cheilitis, halitosis, periodontal disease, hemorrhagic gingivitis, and painful ulcers in the mouth.
Gum cancer, in particular, is easily confused with gum disease. Nonetheless, the former is characterised by patches or irregular growths on the gums. These are known as erythroleukoplakia when they are red and white, leukoplakia when they are white, and erythroplakia when they are red.
Gum disease is where the gums become red, swollen and sore, and bleed. It's very common, but it's important to get it checked by a dentist.
Healthy gums are pink and firm, not bright red, dark red or purple. If a person's gums become red or puffy/swollen, or blood starts appearing when brushing or flossing teeth, this may be an early sign of gum disease. It is not natural to see bleeding gums when brushing or flossing.
Gingivitis and Gum Disease
Inflammation in the gums is linked to several different autoimmune disorders, including lupus, Crohn's disease, and scleroderma, among others.
Advanced Gum Disease (Periodontitis) Can't Be Reversed
However, that doesn't mean you have to give up! While periodontitis cannot be completely eliminated, it's entirely possible to control it with regular periodontal care.
It's challenging to imagine infected gums in your mouth can have a dramatic impact on different parts of your body, including your heart, lungs, bones, blood sugar levels, and fetal development. In addition, the bacteria from your gums can impact your body in different ways.
In its early stages, inflammation around the gums is observable, with gum tissues appearing red and swollen. Gums that are easily irritated or that bleed during tooth brushing indicate the presence of Gingivitis. Removal of the plaque buildup is necessary to prevent the development of gum disease.
Periodontitis is considered an autoimmune disease because your body's immune system is attacking your own tissues due to the ongoing chronic inflammation.
In fact, a recent study revealed that people with low levels of vitamin B12 in their blood were not only more likely to suffer from periodontitis, but were also more likely to experience severe periodontitis symptoms, such as greater gum pocket depth, than those with higher levels of this vitamin.
Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency can affect both tooth enamel and gum health. Low vitamin D levels in children can affect tooth development, causing teeth to be weaker in adulthood and more prone to cavities or chipping. In adults, low vitamin D status can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Research shows that, with each of these stages of life, the rise in estrogen and progesterone increases the risk of inflammation in the gums. These increased levels cause the growth of bacteria, or plaque, which stimulates the body's inflammatory response to the plaque.