Veterans Dental Health — Common Oral Conditions & Diseases

Compared to non-veterans, vets are likelier to develop general health conditions like oral health issues, certain cancers, and mental illnesses.

A significant factor contributing to these is the long-term exposure to harmful substances, such as herbicides and asbestos, and the effects of explosions.

In this article, we’ll focus on the oral health conditions commonly occurring among veterans. We’ll also discuss how their general health can impact oral health.

How Can Military Service Impact Oral Health?

The effect of being exposed to extreme conditions often leads to declining health, which may not become apparent until years after retirement. Common health problems that veterans experience requiring dental services include:

• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Oral infections
• Chronic pain
• Joint pain
• Organ-related issues

Oral care and hygiene needs for veterans are similar to those of any other person. The only difference is that veterans have VA benefits to access specialized services through the VA dental insurance program under the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

How Does General Health Affect Oral Health in Vets?

After completing their service, many veterans often suffer from various conditions that can affect their oral health. Fortunately, regular check-ups and obtaining services through VA dental care benefits can help manage these health conditions effectively.

The general health conditions affecting oral health include:

1. Respiratory Cancers

Exposure to herbicides, chemicals, dust, smoke, and other particles has led many veterans to develop serious lung diseases or cancer after retirement. They’re 25 to 75 percent more likely to develop lung cancer than non-vets.

Veterans undergoing chemotherapy for respiratory cancers may experience a range of oral health issues, including:

• Dry mouth
• Cavities
• Increased risk for gum disease
• Tooth sensitivity
• Bleeding or sensitive gums
• Mouth sores (ulcers)
• Jaw pain
• Changes in taste
• Bone disease
• Difficulties with chewing, swallowing, and speaking
• Pain and inflammation inside the mouth

2. Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer from long-term asbestos exposure that can affect the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Mesothelioma treatment includes chemotherapy, which can lead to:

• Dry mouth
• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Jaw pain

Military personnel and vets widely used asbestos products for fireproofing and insulating during the Korean War, Vietnam War, and World War II. They also used asbestos to construct ships, planes, tanks, and barracks.

3. Hodgkin’s Disease

Veterans exposed to herbicides are at risk of Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and weight loss.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the disease can lead to oral health complications, including:

• Mouth ulcers
• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Dry mouth
• Soft-tissue inflammation

4. AL Amyloidosis

AL amyloidosis can directly affect the tongue, resulting in enlargement and tenderness (macroglossia). It also weakens your immune system, which increases your risk of oral thrush and other infections.

Veterans who experienced herbicide exposure are at risk of AL amyloidosis. This condition occurs when amyloid proteins deposit in organs or tissues, affecting the heart, liver, lungs, joints, and kidneys.

AL amyloidosis typically has the following symptoms:

• Unusual dryness in the mouth
• Mouth ulcers or sores on the lips
• Tongue redness or swelling
• Altered taste or sensation in the mouth
• White plaque coating on the tongue
• Numbness or pain in the jaw
• Damaged or loose teeth
• Gums that bleed easily on probing

5. Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

Long-term exposure to herbicides increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD causes stiffness, shaking, and walking challenges.

PD symptoms can also affect the teeth, mouth, and jaw. Veterans with PD are also more likely to grind their teeth, which increases the risk of cavities.

The inability to control the body makes it difficult to receive dental treatment and brush regularly. This can result in poor oral hygiene, gum disease, and cavities. 

How Does Mental Health Affect Oral Health For Veterans?

Some veterans are at a higher risk of developing poor oral health if they struggle with mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They might also struggle with alcohol and drug abuse.

Approximately 14 to 16 percent of US service members who served in Afghanistan and Iraq suffer from depression or PTSD.  These symptoms can worsen and persist in 10 to 20 percent of these cases, causing substantial impairment.

Because of these mental health conditions, they may experience:

• Neglected dental care — Veterans with anxiety disorders often overlook professional and at-home dental care.
• Reduced saliva production — Some antidepressants decrease saliva production, leading to dry mouth.
• Increased tooth decay — Lack of saliva, which protects tooth enamel and neutralizes plaque acids, can result in more tooth decay.
• Gum disease and tooth loss — A dry mouth can also contribute to the development of gum disease and potentially lead to tooth loss.
• Bruxism — Many with anxiety engage in bruxism, the habit of grinding and clenching teeth, typically during sleep.
• Enamel erosion — Long-term bruxism can wear down tooth enamel, leading to cavities and thinning of the enamel.

How Can PTSD Affect Oral Health?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can hinder a veteran’s recovery after experiencing traumatic events. A study by periodontists at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine found that PTSD-related stress leads to severe oral damage.

This oral damage includes significant enamel erosion caused by acidic substances demineralizing the tooth’s enamel and underlying dentin. Additionally, veterans with PTSD frequently experience dental plaque buildup and gingivitis.

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Veterans Dental Health — Common Oral Conditions & Diseases

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What are the Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse on Oral Health?

In 2019, over 10 percent of veterans suffered from substance use disorder to cope with mental illness. VA health care provides vital resources and treatment options for veterans dealing with oral health issues arising from substance abuse.

Long-term abuse of drugs can cause serious oral health complications. Common dental conditions due to alcohol and drug abuse include:

• Plaque and tartar
• Cavities
• Dry mouth and bad breath
• Tooth discoloration and stains
• Gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis
• Loss of blood flow to the gums and tooth roots (silent gum disease)
• Oral cancers (cancerous ulcers affecting the mouth or throat)