It’s not surprising that the teeth would play a role in anemia. “The reason is that the loss of teeth increases the difficulty of chewing, which leads to problems absorbing nutrients from the food,” says Dr Zainab. As a result, a person with poor oral health may be at higher risk for anemia.

The relationship between anemia and periodontitis is likely bidirectional, with people with periodontitis being at higher risk for iron-deficiency anemia. A study conducted in the United States found that women with periodontitis were 25% more likely to have low levels of iron in their blood.

Anemia, which affects almost half of all older adults, often goes unnoticed. However, if your gum tissue becomes inflamed, it can affect your ability to absorb iron. Studies have shown that anemia may lead to gum disease in the elderly.