Did you know that roughly 48% of American adults don’t visit the dentist at least once a year? Between stressful career demands, a hectic back to school season, and a worldwide pandemic, this number is unfortunately expected to rise. However, your routine visits do more than just catch early signs of tooth decay and gum disease. In fact, 90% of health conditions have oral symptoms, which means your dentist in Braintree may be the first to notice! Read on for four medical conditions your dental team checks for at your bi-yearly appointments.
Crohn’s Disease
Despite affecting 200,000 people in the U.S. annually and being a major contributor to irritable bowel syndrome, few are aware of the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease. This autoimmune disorder results in chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, which can lead to serious abdominal pain. However, it can often fly under the radar, which can lead to medical complications down the road. Therefore, your dentist will check for swollen lips and dime-sized ulcers that could be a result of undiagnosed Crohn’s disease.
Anemia
Anemia occurs when a person does not have enough red blood cells, which hinders the distribution of oxygen throughout your body. Although over 3 million cases of Anemia are diagnosed each year, the symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, and a fast heart rate are often attributed to other health concerns. Therefore, your dentist will look for specific symptoms, like the lining of a patient’s mouth being a light shade of pink. From there, they can ask additional screening questions before referring you to your primary care physician.
Diabetes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 34 million Americans have diabetes. Plus, an additional 84 million U.S. adults have prediabetes and 90% will go undiagnosed. Unfortunately, this can lead to high blood pressure, hearing loss, skin infections, and obstructive sleep apnea (to name a few!). To ensure that patients get the necessary early intervention and treatment they need, your dentist will check for bleeding, dry mouth, receding gums, and loose teeth, which could all be linked to untreated diabetes. From there, your primary doctor will work with you to get your blood sugar levels in check.
Osteoporosis
Although osteoporosis is a condition that largely affects postmenopausal women, it is important to note that it can happen to people of all ages and demographics. Unfortunately, people often aren’t diagnosed with this health concern until they get a bone fracture or undergo a bone density test. Fortunately, your dentist can play an integral role in the early detection and intervention of osteoporosis. By checking for loose teeth and bone loss in your mouth, your dental team can detect symptoms that otherwise would go unnoticed.
When skipping your routine visit becomes a tempting option, remember that your dentist plays a crucial role in your oral and overall health! By prioritizing your bi-yearly appointments, you can ensure that your teeth and gums are in tip-top shape and that any red flags are addressed immediately.
About the Practice
From the moment you first walk into their office to when you check out at the end of your visit, the team at Pinnacle Dental provides high-quality, personalized care that is second to none. With their friendly staff at their side, Dr. Clark Ingoldsby, Dr. James Zonghetti, and Dr. Neil Epstein use their extensive experience, significant training, and passion for dentistry to help their patients with everything from preventive and restorative dentistry to dental implants and orthodontics. If you would like to speak with their team about scheduling your bi-yearly visit, visit their website or give them a call at 781-843-7905.