3 Non-Dental Serious Issues Your Dentist Can Discover In The Monthly Checkup
Doing something as simple and necessary as drinking water shouldn’t hurt so much. Yet it does. In fact, dental clinics in Frisco and all over the U.S. have found that one in eight people have moderate to extreme tooth sensitivity. That number must have surely increased over the years!
Regular dental care is extremely important for overall health of our gums and teeth. There are so many dental related issues that can be found and treated on time! In fact, regular dental checkups can also find many non-dental related but medical issues that would have gone unnoticed otherwise.
What are these non-dental medical issues?
Oral Cancer
The sixth most common type of cancer diagnosed in the United States is oral cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates about 49, 670 people will get oropharyngeal or oral cancer. An estimated 9, 700 will die of this cancer, men more than women.
Is there a better way to fight this cancer? Early discovery is really important when it comes to treating most types of cancer. This is why visiting your dentist twice every year (for this purpose) is recommended by Waterfront Family Dentistry.
Osteoporosis
Almost 44 million U.S. women (and some men) aged 50 and older suffer from osteoporosis and low bone mass. The condition has been classified as a major public health issue with more women than men affected.
Osteoporosis or weakening of the bones can happen to just about anyone although post-menopausal women suffer more commonly. How can your dentist know you have osteoporosis?
Signs like loose teeth or a receding gum line indicate changes in the bone that supports the teeth structure. A regular dental checkup will notify your dentist of any such changes immediately.
Diabetes
Nearly half of Americans have diabetes or prediabetes according to a national report card issued by the CDC. What’s more, a good number of those people don’t even know they have this grave medical condition!
A regular dental checkup and exam will help identify diabetes before it’s too late. Your dentist can identify the following issues that signal a higher risk of diabetes:
Dry mouth
Loose teeth
Receding, dry, and bleeding gums
Bleeding gums don’t always point towards diabetes but another dental issue such as gingivitis and other gum diseases. However, paying attention to these early warning signs can encourage you to visit your dentist.
In the case of these conditions, your dentist will recommend a good primary care physician. Haven’t visited your Frisco family dentist in months? Schedule an appointment with Waterfront Family Dentistry today!
