Oral Effects of Blood Disorders

When there is something the matter with a person’s blood, this can affect the state of their entire health, given the crucial role it plays in terms of the body’s ability to function overall. From transporting oxygen throughout the body, carrying antibodies to fight infection, regulating body temperature, to creating blood clots for preventing excess blood loss, the importance of blood cannot be overstated, which is why it’s crucial that anyone with a blood disorder receives treatment and understands how it affects the various aspects of their health, including oral health. To get an idea of how oral health is affected by different types of blood disorders, continue reading and discover for yourself.

Neutropenia

Neutropenia patients have low amounts of certain white blood cells—neutrophils—which are people’s first defense against bacterial infections. This condition can be the result of medication, such as those for cancer and radiation treatments, that impede how bone marrow makes these cells.

Some diseases, such as cancer, AIDS, and autoimmune diseases, can result in neutropenia while some individuals are born with bone marrow production issues. For those with neutropenia, infections are much more likely, though symptoms of infection may not be noticeable.

Neutrophils are the cells that cause swelling and redness as signs of infection, but with low neutrophil levels, there might not be swelling or redness, even with infections present. This means that gum disease, oral ulcers, or similar infections could worsen quickly.

Before considerable dental treatment, neutropenia patients can receive antibiotics to help protect them against infections. Normal neutrophil counts range between 3,000 to 6,000 cells, and anything below 1,000 requires antibiotics, which patients may also have to take after treatment.

Anemias

Anemia patients lack the right amount of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen within the blood, and this can result from fluid overload, blood loss, nutritional deficiencies, decreased red blood cell production, diseases affecting bone marrow, or hemoglobin molecule defects.

For patients with anemia—iron-deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, etc.—their mouth’s interior might look pale, their tongue might look smooth, and x-rays might pick up changes to the jawbone.

Different variants of anemia, including aplastic anemia, have higher infection risks, so dentists can prescribe antibiotics or antibiotic mouthwash before a major procedure or even use an antifibrinolytic drug to reduce risks of uncontrolled bleeding.

For sickle cell anemia, patients should get their teeth cleaned while in non-crisis periods but keep their appointments short and get a physician’s approval first, especially before a root canal or filling.

Hemophilia

For hemophilia patients, they’re missing crucial proteins (factors) that allow blood to clot, which can lead to the mouth bleeding often. It may be best to not brush or floss as often as is recommended, since this can cause mouth bleeding, but this will leave patients more vulnerable to dental problems. Due to this, hemophilia patients may require additional blood products or factor-replacement therapy before treatment that could cause bleeding. In most cases, some safe procedures include:

·Root canals

·Crowns and fillings

·Denture fittings

·Orthodontia, but without sharp wires or brackets

Dentists will attempt to minimize any bleeding. Patients with braces must avoid cuts from wires, bands, and brackets, with attached orthodontic appliances being better than the removable kind. Regardless, the primal goal is decreasing the likelihood of bleeding.

If you are suffering from a blood disorder, it may be time to visit your dentist to see if it is impacting your oral health. To learn how you can save as much as 20 percent off your next visit with our New Hampshire discount dental plans , click here.