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What’s better than one doctor looking out for your health? Two doctors! Well, how about your doctor and your dentist?
When you provide your dentist with information about your general health, they can offer insight to help more than your teeth and gums. It’s great to go see your family doctor multiple times each year so they can check on you, but don’t underestimate how beneficial visiting your dentist can be.
Ahead of your next appointment with your dentist in Highland Park, be thinking about the information you can share on these topics.
Routine for Daily Dental Care
If your dentist is aware of how you are taking care of your teeth each day, they can evaluate your risk factors for tooth decay, gum disease, enamel erosion, and other issues. If there is a part of your routine you are doing less frequently than daily, be sure to mention that also.
New Medications or Supplements
Your dentist will want to know about medications or supplements you take on a regular basis. Medications can sometimes increase your risk of dry mouth, which can be problematic for your teeth and gums.
High Blood Pressure
Your dentist takes your blood pressure during routine checkups, which makes sense because high blood pressure is a common condition. This health concern can be further elevated by periodontal disease and poor dental health, which potentially makes your medication less effective.
Diabetes
Diabetes can severely affect your oral health. It’s harder to fight off infections like gum disease, so it is not uncommon among diabetic patients. It can cause loosening of the teeth and shrinkage of the gums. You may have a drier mouth, which elevates your risk for cavities. Plus, it may be harder for wounds in your mouth to heal.
Digestive Health Issues
Your dental health can affect your gut health and vice versa. You should let your dentist know if you’ve experienced ongoing digestive issues. Bad oral bacteria could have invaded your digestive tract. Missing teeth or misalignment of your bite could also be the culprit.
Tenderness or Bleeding in Your Gums After Brushing or Flossing
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, so past or present, it is worth mentioning to your dentist. Symptoms include bleeding, swelling, and tenderness of the gums, or even a visibly red appearance.
Pain in Your Jaw or Headaches
Your dentist will want to know about any pain you are having in the neck or jaw, as well as recurring headaches. There is a disorder which affects your temporomandibular joint, located between your temporal bone and lower jaw, and these are some symptoms of it.
COVID-19 Diagnosis or Recent Illness
Be sure to mention to your dentist if you are not feeling well. In fact, if you feel poorly in advance of your dental checkup, let the dentist know and they might decide to reschedule for when you are feeling better.
Your well-being is important, and you don’t have to leave it entirely up to your family doctor to look out for you. When you come prepared to discuss more than your teeth and gums with your dentist, they will be better equipped to take care of your oral health and offer advice to elevate your overall health, too!
About the Author
Dr. Girish Sandadi looks forward to providing dental care to your whole family in order to achieve each person’s smile-related goals. He was drawn to dentistry for the challenge of replicating teeth in both appearance and function, as well as boosting the confidence of patients and providing pain relief. Dr. Sandadi recommends all patients get a checkup and cleaning done at least twice per year, and the more health information you can provide at the exam, the better he can ensure you are healthy from head to toe. To schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (214) 528-9990.