Can Iron Deficiency Cause Tooth Decay?

Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anaemia in the world, and around a third of the global population is affected by it. The World Health Organization treats it as a major public health problem, and its fact sheet on anaemia sets out the global picture.

In this article, we’re going to present all the evidence related to iron deficiency anemia as well as provide you with a definitive answer to the question: Can iron deficiency cause tooth decay?

Recently, an iron deficiency has also been linked with tooth decay, with individuals claiming that it can even put you at high risk of developing gum diseases.

What is an Iron Deficiency?

As the name suggests, an iron deficiency is caused by a lack of iron in your body. This shortage of iron in turn reduces the production of haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen to every part of your body.

That is why one of the earliest symptoms of an iron deficiency is shortness of breath. If your iron deficiency persists for a long time then it could affect the performance of your muscles and tissues directly causing symptoms like extreme tiredness and fatigue.

Can Iron Deficiency Cause Teeth Problems?

What plenty of people don’t realize is that an iron deficiency anemia can also negatively affect your tongue, teeth and gums. Its effect on your tongue is well documented as plenty of studies mention how an iron deficiency can lead to an unusually pale, swollen, inflamed or unusually smooth tongue. Plus, it can also cause your mouth to remain unnaturally dry.

When it comes to your teeth though iron makes up your teeth’s enamel, dentin and bone. Getting enough iron from food is the first line of defence, and eggs, dried figs (anjeer) and dates all contribute. Sensitivity is one of the first things you’ll notice if you’re iron deficient. Plenty of individuals also ask: Can low iron cause yellow teeth?

Well our answer to that is yes as the yellowing of your teeth is a clear sign that they’re getting weaker. And since your body needs iron to keep your teeth strong, yellowing teeth can be a clear symptom of an iron deficiency.

On the contrary, people also ask: Can too much iron affect your teeth? Well the answer to that is yes as well. As too much iron can stick to your fissures and pits in your teeth staining them black like tar.

Timing your drinks matters as well. Tannins in tea and coffee reduce how much iron you absorb from a meal, so if you drink black tea regularly, keep it between meals rather than with them.

Can Iron Deficiency Cause Gum Problems?

In addition to causing tooth decay, an iron deficiency is also responsible for sensitivity in your gums. This can lead to gingivitis, a gum disease where your gums become unnaturally swollen and red. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, which is one reason vegetables such as broccoli are worth adding to your meals.

Additionally, when you brush your teeth your gingivitis can cause your gums to bleed more easily.

If the health of your gums continues to deteriorate this gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, a more serious form of the disease where your gums actually start pulling away from your teeth, causing bone decay.

This can in turn lead to your teeth loosening or even falling out which is why treating your iron deficiency in its early stages is extremely important.

Signs That Indicate an Iron Deficiency

As we mentioned before, detecting that you’re iron deficient early can go a long way in treating this deficiency as early as possible. For that you need to recognize the earliest signs that you’re deficient in the essential mineral.

On that note, here are some of the early signs you can look out for that your body’s low on iron. Symptoms often overlap with other shortfalls, so it is worth reading how long it takes to recover from a vitamin B12 deficiency as well.

Tiredness and Fatigue

We’ve mentioned this before but we’d like to reiterate that increased tiredness and fatigue are one of the earliest signs of an iron deficiency.

This feeling of fatigue isn’t temporary either as you’ll feel some form of it all throughout the day causing you to feel extra lethargic even though you haven’t exerted yourself at all. Many people reach for a multivitamin at this point, which raises questions such as whether Surbex Z causes weight gain or whether Perfectil Platinum does.

Despite that, tiredness can sometimes start feeling like a part of your routine which makes it difficult to diagnose an iron deficiency based on this symptom alone.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath paired with tiredness or fatigue is a textbook sign that you’re deficient in iron. This symptom is a direct result of your body not having enough hemoglobin.

A protein which helps carry oxygen around in your body. This lack of oxygen causes your lungs and heart to work overtime which can cause shortness of breath and limit your energy.

Key Takeaways

• Iron forms part of the structure of enamel, dentin and bone, so low iron can weaken teeth.
• A pale, swollen or unusually smooth tongue and a dry mouth are common early clues.
• Sensitive, yellowing teeth and gums that bleed easily can both point to low iron.
• Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis and loosen the teeth.
• Get tested before supplementing, because too much iron causes problems of its own.

Final Thoughts

That’s all we have for you folks when it comes to our answer to the question: Can iron deficiency cause tooth decay? Hopefully, our explanation of how an iron deficiency can affect the health of your teeth was easy to comprehend and understand.

Also we’d advise that if you develop any of the symptoms that we’ve mentioned above you see your doctor immediately as an iron deficiency if left unchecked can significantly decrease your quality of life.

For more information on the negative effects an iron deficiency can cause and how to treat it, we’d suggest booking an appointment with our nutritionist, Ayesha Nasir, one of the leading dietitians in Pakistan. You can also read about what a registered dietitian in Lahore does and how your diet affects your overall health.

Lastly, do not in any case go about treating this deficiency on your own as that might lead to too much iron in your body which comes with its own set of negative symptoms.