IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AS A RISK FACTOR FOR DENTAL PULP DISEASES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by reduced blood capacity to transport oxygen due to insufficient iron, an essential component of hemoglobin. This condition can have various implications for oral health, including dental pulp health. The human body must balance physiological, nutritional, and environmental factors to maintain optimal functioning. Iron salts react with gingival crevicular fluid and subgingival bacterial metabolites, staining teeth. Iron supplements typically have a highly acidic pH compromising dental enamel microhardness and increasing the risk of cavities. However, the severity of the damage varies depending on supplement acidity, frequency, duration, and method of administration. This article aims to conduct a comprehensive literature search to investigate the association between iron deficiency anemia and oral health issues with pulp pathology aspects as the focus of the study. To sustain an integrative literature review, articles published in English from the databases PubMed, Wiley Library, Science Direct and Scholar Google were examined. Iron deficiency anemia is a contributing factor to the higher incidence of post-endodontic pain. Some studies indicate other results suggesting that iron has a cariostatic effect on dental decay.