5 Medical Conditions That Your Dentist May Find First

When you go to the dental office for your regular checkups, you probably think that it is all about your smile. While this is the primary concern of your dentist, there are some other serious issues that your dentist has the ability to spot. After all, the mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, so it only makes sense that they would affect each other a lot. Continue reading to learn more from a dentist in Freedom about the relationship between your smile and surprising health conditions.

Anemia

This is an incredibly common condition that is found all over the world. The World Health Organizations reports that anemia affects about 1.62 billion people, o 24% of the world’s population. If you aren’t struggling with anemia, you probably know someone who is. This issue occurs when your body is not producing enough red blood cells. This can be detected by your dentist because some symptoms are visible in the mouth. They include the tongue losing its bumpy texture and a pale lining of the mouth.

Crohn’s Disease

This disease affects many different areas throughout the body. One of the most common oral symptoms consists of swollen lips, dime-sized ulcers on the inside of the cheeks. They are typically white in color and have a red halo surrounding them. If your dentist notices this and thinks that you could have Crohn’s Disease, they will probably recommend that you see your family physician in order to have your symptoms evaluated further.

Diabetes

Gum disease and diabetes are closely related. Most of the time, gum disease is related to poor oral hygiene, but diabetes can make it more likely for it to develop and worsen. High blood sugar makes it more difficult for your body to fight off infections, including those in the mouth. If you have an active infection, it is more difficult for you to keep your blood sugar under control. Ultimately, each condition makes the other one worse. If your dentist notices that you have inflammation, gum recession, wiggly teeth, or bleeding of the gums, this could be why.

Osteoporosis

This condition doesn’t have very many symptoms so many people don’t even notice that they have it until they break a bone or take a bone density test. However, your dentist may pick up on it if they notice any bone loss in the mouth. This could be a sign that the same thing is occurring elsewhere in the body.

Heart Disease

If you are dealing with painful, swollen, bleeding, or irritated gums, there is a chance that heart disease could be the issue. If you have gingivitis, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are going to have a heart attack, but it’s definitely something to keep and eye out for. Gum disease increases your risk of developing coronary artery disease and heart disease. This is what can happen when bacteria from the mouth travel to the heart and form blood clots or build up plaque in the arteries.

You should be seeing a dentist for regular checkups every six months. In addition to looking for cavities, they may find other issues. Ultimately, seeing your dentist could save your life!

About the Author

At Dental Expressions in Freedom, WI, you have two friendly and experienced dentists ready to assist you. Both Dr. Robert Heil and Dr. Heather Heil earned their dental degrees from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in Minneapolis and have been practicing for over twenty years. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (920) 788-6280.