Your dentist can spot certain health problems just by looking at your teeth. An article in Reader’s Digest titled, “7 Signs of Disease Your Teeth Can Reveal”, elaborates on certain indicators of health problems that your dentist might notice during your dental visit. Your oral health is directly correlated to your physical well being. Dentists can see warning signs for a range of serious medical conditions developing in your gums and teeth. Routine preventive care dental appointments are critical in early diagnosis and treatment of both periodontal disease and other medical conditions.
Your oral health may reveal more about your overall health than you would think. Dentists can see symptoms of low bone density, high stress levels, autoimmune disease and even celiac disease. The article states that a dentist may even be able to detect that a patient has diabetes. “Red, swollen gums that may bleed are the hallmarks of periodontal disease,” and people with diabetes are more prone to gum disease. Gum disease increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. “If gums bleed a lot and are swollen or the patient is having frequent abscesses or infections, the dentist might start to question if you have a family history of diabetes,” says ADA spokesperson Dr. Sally Cram.
Find out what your mouth could be saying about you. Catching these symptoms of serious medical conditions early could be life saving. Dr. Scott Finlay is a highly trained and experienced dentist that understands the “body-mouth connection”. During your routine dentist appointment Dr. Finlay scans for signs of diseases that affect much more than just your oral health. Schedule an appointment at our Annapolis area dentist office for a comprehensive oral exam.