Saved By The Dentist: Major Health Issues Your Dentist Can Detect

By Jessica Luong

When a dentist takes a look into your mouth, they see a lot of things. They can tell you what you already know, whether you should be flossing, brushing or coming in for cleanings more often. What you may not already know is that a routine dental exam can expose major health issues going on that you may not be aware of. Studies have linked common oral issues to diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and even premature birth.

Bleeding Gums & Gum Infections:

It’s possible that the patient could be diabetic. Gum line infections not only worsen someone’s diabetes, but also can contribute to the risk for heart disease and stroke. Seeing as gum disease is the most common oral health issue in diabetics, it’s important to keep on top of these warning signs.

Inflamed Gums & Loose Teeth:

Should a dentist see inflamed gums and loose teeth, it can also be a sign of heart disease. If you have gum disease, it’s possible for the bacteria in your gums to travel all the way to your heart. This can eventually lead to coronary artery disease. The bacteria can cause clots or plaque build-up in arteries that can ultimately disrupt blood flow to the heart.

Receding Gum Line:

A receding gum line combined with loose teeth can be a sign of Osteoporosis. The bone disease causes changes in the bones that support teeth like the jaw. Those with low bone mineral density tend to lose more teeth. It’s possible that if bone loss is significant dentures could become loose or ill- fitting.

"THOSE WHO BRUSHED THEIR TEETH LESS THAN ONCE PER DAY WERE 65 PERCENT MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP DEMENTIA THAN THOSE WHO BRUSHED DAILY."

Dementia patients lose memory, have heightened confusion and are disorganized. It’s also common for a person with early dementia to have poor oral hygiene. Scientists at the University of California followed 5,000 elderly people over the course of 18 years and learned those who brushed their teeth less than once per day were 65 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed daily. Should a dentist notice bone loss and a decline in general oral health, Alzheimer’s disease could be the cause.

“A healthy mouth supports overall health.”

Pregnant women with periodontal disease are at risk for delivering a preterm baby. Every expectant mother is aware of the importance of maintaining good health, especially during their pregnancy. Oral health should not be missed. A healthy mouth supports overall health. Keeping up-to-date with daily brushing and flossing, scheduled cleanings and dentist and periodontist visits will certainly help to maintain a healthy safe pregnancy for mother and baby.

Understanding that there’s a major connection between oral and overall health is a key component to protecting oneself. The mouth offers many clues to any health problems going on in the body, giving doctors and dentists the chance to diagnose and properly treat before the symptoms become more serious.