Each time you visit your dentist for a routine visit, you are helping to guarantee the health of your teeth and gums. However, you may also be guarding against issues that are not directly related to your teeth.
During a dental exam, your dentist may discover indications of other health conditions. The early detection of health problems can aid in earlier treatment and better outcomes. Here are a few health issues that a dentist may discover during a routine dental appointment:
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that results in the loss of bone tissue. The disease can make bones brittle and more susceptible to fractures.
When your dentist examines your teeth and gums, if you have osteoporosis, he may notice that your teeth are becoming loose within their sockets. The dentist may also notice that your gums are starting to recede, exposing your dental roots.
These changes result from changes in the thickness of the jawbone. As the jawbone loses mass, it may no longer hold the teeth as securely in place.
The exact reason why gums are likely to recede when a person has osteoporosis is unknown. However, the two conditions are linked.
Osteoporosis may also be revealed when your dentist x-rays your mouth. The density of the jawbone may seem reduced in the images, especially when compared to x-rays from past visits.
Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes include dry mouth and gum disease. As gingival tissues become inflamed, they may heal more easily in the mouth of a person whose blood sugar levels are well controlled. However, people with diabetes sometimes have problems maintaining stable blood sugar, and as a result, wounds may not heal quickly or properly.
Periodontal disease is linked to diabetes. Not only do people with diabetes seem to incur gum disease more often, but people with periodontal disease also seem prone to diabetes.
If your dentist notices signs of diabetes, he or she may encourage you to have your blood sugar levels tested by a physician.
HIV
People with HIV may experience oral health problems, such as lesions and warts on the soft tissues of the mouth. In addition, HIV patients may be more prone to oral infections.
During a dental exam, the dentist visually inspects the oral cavity. Although a lesion or spot on the tongue, gums or inner cheeks does not definitively mean that a patient has HIV, it could be a sign of the disease-- especially if the person regularly engages in risky activities.
To schedule a routine dental appointment, contact the office of a dentist in your local area like Crystal Dental Care.
Share29 August 2017
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.