Often, we hear that looks can be deceiving, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, what is visible to the eye provides a clear understanding of what is going on behind the scenes, an example being with the condition of your dental health. Thus, when you visit your dentist in Fayetteville, NC for preventive care, she will be able to tell more than you may imagine about how well you’ve maintained your oral care. Learn more about why your semi-annual visits are important to your overall health.
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry serves as one of the pillars of oral health. It involves you regularly visiting your dentist for checkups and cleanings, which will reveal any problems that may be lurking in the shadows and provide you with a clean mouth, teeth and gums by removing any built-up plaque and tartar. By identifying problems early, your oral expert is able to prevent minor issues from becoming major catastrophes.
What Can Your Dentist Detect?
Just by looking inside your mouth, your dentist can help to enhance your overall health because she will be able to detect certain warning signs that you can convey to your primary care physician.
Here are some examples of what can be discovered:
- Diabetic/ Pre-Diabetic – There are certain signs that may be indicators of diabetes, including ulcers, infection, inflammation of the gums, bad breath and tooth decay. Although these are not final indicators of these conditions, they should still not be disregarded.
- Risk of Heart Attack/ Stroke – If your dentist notices that you have the warning signs of gum disease, she will also alert you of the risk of heart attack and stroke, due to the inflammation and arterial plaque build-up caused by the growing infection.
- Pregnancy – If you’re pregnant, your dentist may notice unusual enamel erosion due to vomiting from morning sickness. She may also observe that your gums bleed easy, which may be a sign of the early stages of gingivitis.
- Dietary Issues – If you’re having nutrition issues, it’ll show in your dental health, as there will be sudden cavities or tooth erosion. These can also be signs of eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia, where there is starvation or enamel wear from vomiting.
- Kidney Problems – Severe infection and inflammation can translate into kidney problems, so it’s best to be seen by your primary care doctor if your dentist notices these symptoms.
As is evident, your preventive care visits serve to protect far more than just your oral cavity. Furthermore, your mouth acts as a window into the health of the rest of your body. So to learn more about your overall wellness, just reach out to your Fayetteville, NC dentist to schedule an appointment today.
About the Author
Earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Angela C. Ruff followed that with a General Practice Residency at the VA Hospital in Portland, Oregon. An active member of several professional organizations, she practices at Ascot Aesthetic Implants & Dentistry and can be reached for more information through her website.