5 Medical Conditions That Your Dentist May Find Before Anyone Else

You go to the dentist every six months for regular dental checkups. You probably think that it’s all about the health of your teeth. However, there is much more to it than that. Your dentist checks for all sorts of different abnormalities that could indicate that you have a problem elsewhere in the body that needs attention. In fact, there are many medical conditions that your dentist may be the first one to discover. Continue reading to learn about just a few of them.

Anemia

This is a condition that is incredibly common throughout the entire world. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that anemia affects approximately 1.62 billion people across the globe. That adds up to about 24% of the population. This is a condition that occurs when your body is not producing enough red blood cells. Common symptoms include fatigue and weakness. Another symptom that is sometimes apparent is the loss of the bumpy texture of the tongue and a pale lining of the mouth.

Crohn’s Disease

All sorts of different areas of the body are affected by Crohn’s disease. Some of the oral symptoms that many people find themselves dealing with is swollen lips and dime-sized ulcers on the inside of the cheeks. These ulcers are typically white in color and have a red halo surrounding them. If your dentist notices any of these signs and believes that Crohn’s disease could be the main culprit, they will likely suggest that you see your family physician in order to have your symptoms examined further.

Diabetes

You may not already know that gum disease and diabetes have a link. Many times, gum disease is related to poor oral hygiene, but diabetes can increase your likelihood of developing it. When you have high blood sugar, it is more difficult for your body to fight off infections, including those that are in the mouth. With an active infection, it is more difficult for you to keep blood sugar under control. If your dentist notices that you are dealing with gum inflammation, recession, wiggly teeth, or bleeding of the gums, this could in part be the reason behind it.

Osteoporosis

The condition doesn’t have very many symptoms so it can take a while for people to ever realize that they have it. A lot of the time, it doesn’t become apparent until a bone is fractured or a bone density test is completed. However, your dentist could pick up on it by noticing jawbone shrinkage. This could be happening elsewhere in the body as well as a result of osteoporosis.

Heart Disease

If you have painful, swollen, or bleeding gums, heart disease could be the culprit. Of course, just because you have gingivitis doesn’t mean that you are going to have a heart attack, but it is still something to be mindful of. Gum disease can increase your risk of coronary artery disease and heart disease. This is because bacteria from the mouth can travel to the heart and build up plaque in the arteries.

Going to the dentist for regular checkups is about more than just preventing cavities. It could even save your life!

About the Practice

At Orange Place Family Dentistry, you have two experienced dentists providing quality care to patients in the Beachwood, OH area. Both Dr. Jed M. Koops and Dr. Jerome L. Faist earned their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Currently, they are both members of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, and Greater Cleveland Dental Society. To learn more about the importance of regular dental checkups or to schedule an appointment at their office, visit their website or call (216) 464-2448.