These Oral Health Warning Signs Mean It’s Time To See a Doctor

You Next Dental Visit May Flag These Warning Signs and Save Your Life

A simple routine dental exam can reveal more about your health than you think. Many oral symptoms are connected to medical conditions, so it’s important to keep an eye on any abnormal developments in the mouth and how they affect our bodies in the long run.

While the idea of visiting the dentist can be daunting for many, it can actually be a way to remain aware of any changes happening in your body. After all, the quality of your dental health is a reflection of your health overall. For this reason, Beaufils Dental encourages patients in the Cooper City area to schedule their routine dental exams. Here are some common dental conditions that may signal a red flag in your overall health.

What Does My Dental Condition Mean?

Any of these conditions can simply be linked to poor dental hygiene, but they can also be a red flag to underlying medical conditions. While it’s always best to seek the help of a doctor to diagnose any medical condition, a visit to your dentist can provide an extra insight on your overall health. Our patients undergo thorough dental evaluations that can help us identify underlying health concerns in conditions such as:

• Extremely Dry Mouth: A lack of saliva production can lead to tooth decay. Dry mouth is a result of damage to the salivary glands, which is a symptom of Sjören’s Syndrome. This autoimmune disease attacks moisture producing glands and can target women over the age of 40.
• Bleeding/Inflamed/Sore Gums: If your gums bleed after brushing or flossing, you could be displaying symptoms of advanced gum disease–which is also linked to diabetes. Diabetes plays a significant role in the severity of one’s gum disease. High blood sugar levels can weaken your mouth’s germ fighting powers. Gum disease can often go undetected until it becomes more serious. Routine dental visits can help identify the presence of this oral health condition before symptoms worsen.
• Bad Breath: If you’re brushing and flossing regularly but are still experiencing stubborn and less-than-desirable bad breath, you may be experiencing a sinus infection. In more advanced cases, this can also signal the presence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. This common disorder causes stomach contents (acid and non-acidic) to decay in the stomach and flow upward, or reflux, into the esophagus. Bad breath can develop as a result of the decaying food contents in your stomach, as well as regurgitation into the esophagus.
• Loss of Teeth: Tooth loss can be common in older adults. However, if this is occurring at a more frequent level, this may be a prevalent symptom of Osteoporosis. Over 53 million people are either suffering from this condition or are at risk due to low bone mass. The National Institute of Arthritis and Muskuloskeletal and Skin Diseases (or NIAMS) suggests that a dental x-ray may help screen osteoporosis. While this is no substitute for primary medical care, it can still help identify the presence of poor bone density. Beaufils Dental recruits the use of 3D dental imaging technology to analyze components such as bone density, so you’re guaranteed a thorough analysis of the mouth when treated with this innovative tool.

A Healthy Mouth Promotes a Healthy Body

When facing a potential medical condition, early detection is crucial to prevention. At Beaufils Dental, we believe that a visit to the dentist does not substitute the advice of a medical professional. However, by scheduling a dental exam regularly, we can flag any substantial changes in your oral health before it develops into something worse. Our Cooper City office is prepared to help you on your journey to a healthier you. Contact Beaufils Dental today at 954-252-1390 to schedule your appointment.