Routine exams can be life-saving. This is why it’s recommended that you visit your primary doctor, get an eye exam, and teeth cleaning at least once a year. These routine exams can give your doctor’s an inside look at your health and even help diagnose certain things you didn’t even realize you had. For a dentist, your mouth can tell a lot about your hygiene habits, the types of foods you eat, and the plaque and tartar and even gingivitis could lead to diagnosing bigger problems.
Diabetes
Severe gum disease or periodontitis can be an early sign of type 2 diabetes. A recent study found that overweight middle-aged adults with severe gum disease were at a higher risk for diabetes. One in five of those patients had undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. This is because people with diabetes are more prone to catching infections.
Pregnant
If you’ve never had a problem with your gums, but all of a sudden you’re noticing that they’re inflamed and bleeding, this may be a sign that you’re pregnant. Gingivitis is a very common during pregnancy because of the hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your gums. In addition, your hormones can prevent your body’s ability to fight bacteria, which can also cause plaque buildup.
Malnourishment
Your dentist can tell if you have an eating disorder or have poor nutrition simply by looking at your teeth. When you lack certain vitamins, your mouth has a lower resistance to the microbial biofilm that comes from plaque and a lower ability to heal inflamed gum tissue. A vitamin deficiency and eating disorder like bulimia can also cause the enamel on your teeth to weaken.
Diabetes and heart disease have always been hand in hand. In fact, many patients that have one are at risk for the other. The same link exists between gum disease, plaque buildup, and cardiovascular disease. A study from the American Stroke Association confirms that even adults with mild gum disease are twice as likely to have an ischemic stroke than those without oral health issues.
Osteoporosis
Severe gum disease can show a link to having osteoporosis, especially when people start losing their teeth. This happens because osteoporosis decreases the density of the bone that supports the teeth, compromising the foundation from where the teeth live.
There are many other diseases that your dentist can see, so it’s important to get your teeth checked out every 6 months for a cleaning, but definitely at least once a year. If you notice anything is off or bothersome, ask your dentist or your primary doctor because they can help you get a clear diagnosis and provide treatment as soon as possible.