Aside from the general health of your teeth there are several conditions for which your dentist should be your medical professional of choice. Gingivitis, halitosis, bleeding gums, mouth sores, and many other conditions inside the mouth could be indicative of serious health problems.
Gingivitis, an infection in the gums generally due to oral health care, can put a person at risk for many other health issues. Infection from the mouth can enter the body through Ow Dental Fee Guide the blood stream and carry the infection to the heart, and there is much research and evidence that suggests that those with gum disease are more prone to heart attacks.
There is also a related risk between those with periodontal disease and those who have premature babies. It is projected that a women with infected or swollen or bleeding gums is seven times more likely deliver prematurely or give birth to a significantly small baby. Chronic Best Mouthwash For Cavities bleeding of the gums is often a sign of diabetes; bacteria thrives in the conditions caused by high sugar levels, and the mouth in conducive the sustaining bacteria, and therefore, persistent bleeding may be cause for a dentist to investigate the possibility of diabetes.
Halitosis, or bad breath, can be associated with conditions such as dehydration, swollen adenoids, and eating disorders; it can also be a symptom of gingivitis or periodontal disease. If regular methods of controlling bad breath are unsuccessful, the dentist may begin to investigate more serious issues such respiratory problems, liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal diseases.
Babies who are diagnosed with failure to thrive will often be referred to a pediatric dentist who can investigate reasons that the baby may not be able to suck or latch well. The length of the lingual frenulum, the piece of skin that connects the bottom of the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, can prohibit babies from being able to latch or properly suck making them prone to malnourishment and failure to thrive.
Later in life, both the frenulum, either the lingual or the labial, the skin connecting the top lip to the top teeth can be the underlying source of speech issues such as in articulation. If it is determined that the frenulum is short, a condition also known as ankyloglossia or “tongue tied”, a simple operation performed by the dentist can clip the skin; continued speech therapy will correct the disorder. Optimal oral health is essential for overall health, and routine visits to the dentist could either prohibit disease or provide early detection and therefore better treatment of existing disease.