It might seem odd that your dentist would want to know about your overall health during a dental visit. Their primary focus is your teeth and gums, right? The truth is that the mouth and body are closely connected, which means many problems that start in the oral cavity can cause issues throughout the brain, heart, kidneys, and other major organs. When preparing for your next dental checkup, make sure you mention these three health factors when talking to your dentist.
Health Issue #1: Let Them Know if You Have Diabetes.
Diabetes is a problem that affects millions of people throughout the world, causing issues related to the kidneys, heart, eyes, and smile.
Patients with diabetes are prone to developing gum disease because of increased difficulty in managing blood sugar levels, as well as living with a suppressed immune system. This makes it harder to fight off an infection, which is what gum disease is – a bacterial attack on the soft oral tissues inside the mouth.
Letting your dentist know that you have diabetes can ensure they take a closer look at your gums and offer suggestions to minimize your risk of developing periodontitis over time.
Health Issue #2: Share Any New Medications You’re Taking.
The medications you take may be helpful for whatever condition you and your doctor are treating, but they can affect your teeth and gums in ways you might not realize.
You can share your list of medicines with your dentist during your dental checkup, so they can determine how to circumvent the effects they might have on your smile. Some can lead to dry mouth, which increases the risk of gum disease and cavities, while others may negatively interact with dental sedation or anesthesia.
Having this information early on (and updating it regularly) can ensure you stay safe when seeking dental treatment and avoid serious oral health problems while improving your overall health.
Health Issue #3: Detail Any Gum Bleeding or Tenderness.
If you notice that your gums are bleeding or feel tender when brushing and flossing, do not forget to tell your dentist. Although they will likely notice the issue during your dental checkup and cleaning, it’s better to tell them ahead of time.
This will allow them to address early signs (gingivitis) before it becomes more severe with appropriate treatment. If the problem is more serious and has caused gum pockets to form, more advanced services can be provided to avoid the continued spread of infection.
If you want to keep your smile working and looking its best in the long run, make sure to keep your dentist in the loop when it comes to changes that involve your overall health.
About the Practice
Beverly Farms Dental is pleased to have a caring and trustworthy team that is deeply rooted in the Newton community. Delivering comprehensive services and specialty treatment to individuals of all ages, we believe in providing effective and efficient high-quality care. This is why we do not focus solely on teeth and gums but also on how a person’s overall health can impact their smile. If you want to see a dentist who cares about more than just your teeth and gums, call us at (978) 927-3515 or visit our website.
