Your primary care physician almost never asks about your oral health during your regular checkups, but your dentist often inquires about your overall health at these appointments. Why is that? It turns out that the health of the mouth is directly correlated to whole-body wellness. Poor oral health can worsen general health and vice versa. That’s why your dentist in San Antonio takes a keen interest in your overall well-being. To help them help you stay healthy, be sure to mention these five factors during your next dental checkup.
1. Your Daily Oral Care Routine
When it comes to maintaining optimal dental health, prevention is key. This involves having a good at-home oral hygiene routine. Most people should be brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, using a fluoridated toothpaste, and flossing every day. If your routine is different, bring it up with your dentist. They can let you know whether you’re doing all that you can to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral concerns.
2. Bleeding Gums
Contrary to what you may have heard, it’s not normal for your gums to bleed after you brush or floss. In fact, bleeding gums may indicate gingivitis – the first stage of gum disease. Gum disease is much easier to treat in the early stages. The sooner your dentist is aware of any gum issues, the better.
3. High Blood Pressure
Your dental team always takes your blood pressure before any procedure – and before your routine checkups – to monitor your safety and overall health. If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your dentist needs to know. Gum disease, and poor oral health in general, can further raise your blood pressure. It might even render your medication less effective!
4. Diabetes
Diabetes, especially when poorly managed, is notorious for causing health issues all over the body, including the kidneys, immune system, and eyes. Unsurprisingly, diabetes can also worsen oral health. Severe gum disease is more common in diabetic patients, which in turn can elevate blood sugar levels. Even if your diabetes is well-controlled, tell your dentist about it so they can keep an eye out for oral health concerns.
5. Medication Changes
Some medications, even those not designed to treat the mouth, can have adverse effects on oral health. The most common of these is dry mouth. Without adequate saliva in the mouth, food debris and bacteria don’t get washed away from the teeth and gums. As a result, the risk of tooth decay and gum disease rises. At every dental checkup, update your dentist with any changes in your medications.
Good oral health is essential for maintaining a healthy body. For this reason, be sure to mention these five health factors – as well as any others you can think of – to your dentist in San Antonio at your next checkup!
About the Author
Dr. Zachary Brice earned his dental doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School. Today, he owns and operates Brice Dental, a down-to-earth dental practice with a home-like atmosphere. He values prevention when it comes to his patients’ oral health, which is why he’s genuinely interested in getting to know his patients and helping them maintain their best smiles. If you’re looking for a caring dentist in San Antonio, contact Dr. Brice at 210-903-5565.