{"id":935,"date":"2025-03-10T10:54:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T08:54:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/5-dental-care-tips-for-people-with-kidney-disease\/"},"modified":"2025-03-10T10:54:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T08:54:07","slug":"5-dental-care-tips-for-people-with-kidney-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/5-dental-care-tips-for-people-with-kidney-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Dental Care Tips for People With Kidney Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.affinityhealth.co.za\/\">Affinity Health<\/a>, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, highlights 5 dental care tips for people with kidney disease.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldkidneyday.org\/\">World Kidney Day<\/a> highlights the vital role kidneys play in maintaining the body\u2019s balance and health.<\/p>\n<p>Kidney diseases often go undiagnosed, with high blood pressure, diabetes, and poor lifestyle choices increasing the risk. Dental care is equally important, as poor oral health can worsen kidney function.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDid you know that oral health is intricately linked to kidney health? According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/kidney-topics\/dental-kidney-disease-connection#:~:text=Infections%20from%20dental%20issues%20can,for%20someone%20with%20kidney%20disease.\">National Kidney Foundation<\/a>, people living with kidney disease are at higher risk of developing oral health issues, making it crucial to adopt specific dental care practices,\u201d says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12882-023-03109-1#:~:text=The%20International%20Society%20of%20Nephrology,rates%20if%20this%20was%20present.\">Kidney disease<\/a> impacts thousands of lives annually, and understanding the connection between dental and kidney health can help improve quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong> Understand the Link Between Kidney Disease and Oral Health<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Kidney disease can impact your oral health in several ways. It may cause <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sahealth.sa.gov.au\/wps\/wcm\/connect\/7124169a-eb0c-4dd0-9c44-b245ecde4cb8\/Dry+mouth+and+taste+changes+in+Kidney+Disease_Consumer+Info+Sheet_070823.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&amp;CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-7124169a-eb0c-4dd0-9c44-b245ecde4cb8-oDiujuS\">dry mouth<\/a> because reduced kidney function often lowers saliva production, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. You might also experience <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/metabolic-disorders-that-cause-bad-breath\">bad breath<\/a>, as toxins in the bloodstream can lead to unpleasant odours. Kidney disease can weaken your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akdh.org\/article\/S1548-5595(19)30004-7\/abstract#:~:text=Impairment%20of%20the%20normal%20reaction,and%20a%20diminished%20vaccine%20response.\">immune system<\/a>, making it harder for your body to fight oral infections.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong> Brush and Floss Regularly <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Proper oral hygiene is especially important to keep your mouth healthy. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid irritating sensitive gums, and choose fluoride toothpaste to protect your enamel and prevent cavities, especially if you have dry mouth. Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles, reducing the risk of gum disease.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong> Stay Hydrated and Manage Dry Mouth<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Dry mouth is common for people, particularly those on dialysis or certain medications. To manage this, drink water frequently throughout the day to keep your mouth moist. Chewing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/is-chewing-gum-bad-for-you#are-there-any-benefits\">sugar-free gum<\/a> can also help by stimulating saliva production and protecting against cavities. Avoid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/alcohol-based-mouthwash-may-disrupt-oral-microbiome-leading-to-gum-disease-and-certain-cancers\">alcohol-based mouthwashes<\/a>, as they can worsen dryness; choose hydrating mouth rinses specifically designed for dry mouth.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong> Book Regular Dental Checkups<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Regular dental visits are essential for catching and treating oral health problems early. Inform your dentist about your condition and any medications, such as blood thinners, as these might impact your treatment plan. Schedule professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, helping lower your risk of gum disease. If you experience bleeding gums or mouth sores, don\u2019t wait\u2014see your dentist promptly to address the issue.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><strong> Adopt a Kidney-Friendly Diet <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifehealthcare.co.za\/news-and-info-hub\/latest-news\/what-is-the-renal-diet-about\/\">diet<\/a> plays a significant role in keeping your kidneys and teeth healthy. To protect your teeth, reduce sugary foods like sweets, fizzy drinks, and desserts, as sugar can cause cavities, especially if you have dry mouth. Include foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as leafy greens, broccoli, fortified non-dairy milk, and eggs, to keep your teeth and bones strong. Watch your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidney.org\/kidney-topics\/phosphorus-and-your-diet\">phosphorus<\/a> levels, as too much can weaken your teeth\u2014avoid processed foods and opt for fresh options such as apples, berries, cucumbers, and carrots.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why Dental Health Matters <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Oral health problems can worsen kidney issues by causing more inflammation. For example, gum disease can trigger inflammation that may affect kidney function. On the other hand, taking care of your teeth and gums can lower the risk of complications and boost your overall health.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>World Kidney Day is a call to action for everyone to prioritise kidney health. For those living with kidney disease, it\u2019s an opportunity to pay attention to oral health as well. By adopting these five dental care tips, you can protect your teeth and gums while supporting your kidney health. For more information on symptoms and treatment, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affinityhealth.co.za\/kidney-disease-symptoms-and-treatment\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-159200\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?attachment_id=159200\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-159200 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5-Dental-Care-Tips-For-People-With-Kidney-Disease-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Your smile and kidneys are more connected than you think!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Video:<\/strong> 5 DENTAL CARE TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH KIDNEY DISEASE<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/5%20DENTAL%20CARE%20TIPS%20FOR%20PEOPLE%20WITH%20KIDNEY%20DISEASE\/2\/\">Boilerplate and Editor\u2019s Notes<\/a><\/strong>.<br \/>\n<strong>More Info on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affinityhealth.co.za\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">5 DENTAL CARE TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH KIDNEY DISEASE<\/a> here:<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Twitter<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/APCPublishers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/APCPublishers<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Facebook<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/apcpublishers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/apcpublishers\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/mypr.co.za\/save-with-myprs-monthly-flat-fee\/\">CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>MyPR<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, highlights 5 dental care tips for people with kidney disease. World Kidney Day highlights the vital role kidneys play in maintaining the body\u2019s balance and health. Kidney diseases often go undiagnosed, with high blood pressure, diabetes, and poor lifestyle choices increasing the risk. Dental care is &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","autoblue_enabled":true,"autoblue_custom_message":"","autoblue_shares":[],"autoblue_post_url":"","autoblue_publish_document":false,"republication-tracker-tool-hide-widget":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["type-post","category-news","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=935"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/935\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}