We all know that a regular check-up and good dental health is critical to your overall health and wellbeing. What a lot of people don't realize though is that dentists are an important part of your healthcare routine and can often spot illnesses and issues related to your overall health and not just your oral health.
This article has been put together by the Newmarket Dentist Directory and is going to inform you of some diseases and conditions that dentists are trained to spot are. Some of which include; oral cancer, HIV, infections, stress, diabetes, nutritional imbalances, osteoporosis, and autoimmune conditions.
Oral Cancer
More than 30,000 cases or oral cancers are diagnosed in the US alone every year. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and your dentist is an expert in oral cancer screening and will check at every appointment to see if there are any warning signs. Symptoms of oral cancer that can show as warning signs include the appearance of red and white lesions on the tongue, palate and gums. There are risk factors that also increase your chances of cancer, which can include smoking, HPV virus, heavy drinking and tooth decay from neglected dental care.Diabetes
A major sign of diabetes is bleeding gums and other signs are dry mouth, receding gums, and dry gums. Diabetes causes the body to react differently to wounds or infections and makes it difficult to fight disease effectively to prevent problems. Bleeding gums don’t always indicate diabetes; gingivitis and other gum diseases could also be the cause. But these are early warning signs and your dentist would insist you to visit your Doctor and get tested.HIV
There are some oral conditions that may indicate that the patient has HIV. In children there may be salivary gland swelling which results in dry mouth and these patients are often prone to oral lesions and viruses such as HPV, Candidiasis, or types of Herpes viruses. It has also been discovered in current research that gingivitis and periodontitis occurs up to 6% more in HIV adults. Of course, this doesn't accurately mean you have HIV, but a good dentist who spots any of these signs will recommend you make a Doctor's appointment to be checked.Stress
Stress causes many people to grind their teeth, this is called bruxism, and many of us do this without even realizing it. You could be grinding your teeth in your sleep and never be aware of it, but your dentist will spot it right away. Bruxism can cause some serious damage to your teeth and the dental may recommend a customized night guard to protect your teeth. If this is stress induced, it may also be in your health's best interest to take us other ways to reduce your stress levels. Both meditation and yoga have been proven to be great stress relievers.Nutritional Imbalances
These can be caused by eating disorders such as bulimia, vitamin deficiencies or simply a bad diet. Signs of nutritional imbalance will show up in your mouth with symptoms such as bleeding gums, dry mouth, teeth erosions, receding gums and other signs. Your dentist will spot these problems right away patients with eating disorders and forced vomiting don't realize that stomach acid is very hard on tooth enamel and is an instant indicator of problems.Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions such as Sjogrens, Rheumatoid Arthritis and others can cause problems with oral health that can lead to severe dental issues causing the loss of many teeth. Dry mouth, oral thrust and other symptoms of autoimmune diseases can cause massive tooth decay and lead to the loss of teeth. These conditions need to be carefully monitored and they will have a huge impact on your dental health.Infections
Oral infections can be experienced after a dental procedure, with trauma to the mouth or other problems that may be caused by bad dental care. Signs of an infection could include swelling, pain, and redness around the area that is sore, fever and a bad taste in the mouth. These infections can spread to other areas of the body and can damage you heart and lungs if left untreated. A dentist can prevent this type of infection and prescribe antibiotics or other appropriate medications to take care of the infection.Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones as we age, most commonly found in women it can happen to anyone. A dentist could notice early warning signs like receding gums or loose teeth. This could indicate a change in the bone density of the gum, which supports the teeth. The dentist will refer you to your Doctor for a bone density test if they suspect this condition.How We Can Help
A regular dental check-up can keep you on top of not only your dental health but also your body as a whole. Your dentist may be able to catch potential problems long before you notice them, which will give you a chance to get treatment early and perhaps head off the worst of these kinds of conditions. If you are looking for a trusted Newmarket dentist, head over to our dentist directory today.* Newmarket Dentist provides general information only. Our aim is to provide the most accurate information possible, but we do not take responsibility for any errors. In order to get the best results it is important to consult with your dentist or health care professional for further information, diagnosis or treatment.
