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.
Heart Disease
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.
