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Your General Dentist Can Spot First Signs of Health Problems
May 03, 2016  |  Uncategorized

Your General Dentist Can Spot First Signs of Health Problems

We have been telling this many times - your overall health can have a deep impact on your oral health and vice versa. It's estimated that there are over 120 diseases that have the potential to cause symptoms to develop inside of the mouth.

With the advancement in cosmetic dentistry general dentists today are trained to not only detect any oral problems, but also to identify serious health problems. In fact, they are often the first source among many healthcare professionals to diagnose serious health issues.

Let’s have a closer look at some of the common conditions that can be detected during an oral examination.

Diabetes

People who are diagnosed with 1 or 2 diabetes have the risk of developing gum disease. The condition can make it harder for people who struggle to keep their blood sugar under control. During the appointment, if your dentist notices any symptoms of diabetes, than you are likely to be referred to an endocrinologist. You will also be needed to undergo more dental examinations, with regular monitoring by your dentist in order to ensure that you do not develop gum disease. Should you develop gum disease, it's recommended that early treatment is applied that will make it a lot easier to control your blood sugar.

Stress

Stressful phase can cause damage to your body and can create havoc on your oral health. It could drive you to develop habits such as grinding your teeth without even realizing it. Teeth grinding, or bruxism can cause bone loss. While you may notice that you are grinding teeth when stressed out, your dentist can potentially detect it on an X-ray.

Oral Cancer

Studies reveal that oral cancer has a five-year rate of about 50 percent. This is the reason early detection plays a vital role to help boost an individual chances of surviving this terrible disease. It's also suggested that people diagnosed with oral cancer before it spreads to other parts of the body have a 90% chance of surviving.

Your dentist may be the first healthcare professional to diagnose the condition. During a routine dental examination, your mouth needs to be checked for unusual sores - one of the first signs of oral cancer. Patients are also likely to have white or red spots on their mouth. However, sores can develop in the mouth, including the lips and gums.

All general dentists will recommend on getting oral cancer screening done at least once a year, more important for people who smoke or drink heavily. Dental appointments will also make sure to educate you on certain topics helpful to reduce the risk of developing oral cancer.

Heart Disease

If you have a family history of heart disease, it is essential to inform the same to your dentist. People with gum disease are more likely to develop heart strokes. The inflammation in your body due to gum disease can be reduced if your gum disease is treated on time. This will also decrease your risk of developing heart attacks and stores. Therefore, seeing your dentist on a regular basis can help you protect your heart and maintain optimal oral and overall health.

If you are in immediate need of dental care, then you should definitely consider calling us today for high quality yet affordable treatments from compassionate staff.

You deserve to have a beautiful smile!
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