The primary concern of your dentist is the health of your smile, but the truth is that your oral health and overall health have a lot more in common than you may think. If there is something going on in another part of your body, your mouth may be paying the price. This is why it’s so important to be open with your dentist about any health conditions you may have. Here are some health factors that you should share during your next dental checkup.
Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Your dentist always wants to know if there is something you can do in order to amp up your oral hygiene routine. Answer your dentist’s questions honestly about how often you brush and floss, the types of dental products you use, and anything else they may ask. This way, they can give you suggestions on how you can do even better.
New Medications
Some medications can affect your oral health by making you more susceptible for things like dry mouth or gingivitis. Let your dentist know if you are taking any new medications or supplements so they know the best way to go about keeping your smile healthy.
Hypertension
If you have high blood pressure, this is something that your dentist should know about. Both periodontal disease and poor oral health can raise your blood pressure even further and reduce the effectivity of the medications you are taking.
Diabetes
Diabetes causes widespread health issues throughout your body. Periodontitis, the most severe form of periodontal disease, often develops in diabetic patients and makes it more difficult to control diabetes. Even if you are doing well on your medication and your diabetes is controlled, you should still let your dentist know about it.
Digestive Health Issues
Oral health and gut health share a symbiotic relationship. They both affect one another. Teeth and bite alignment affects digestion, while an insufficient absorption of nutrients can cause your dental health to lack.
Jaw Pain and Headaches
Jaw pain, neck pain, and headaches are often times associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMJ) where sufferers experience pain and compromised movement of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. By bringing this up to your dentist, they can give you tips and get you on a treatment plan to get some relief.
If you’re dealing with any of the issues listed above, you should bring them up with your dental team. This way, they will be able to give you the personalized care you deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Graffeo is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for well over 25 years. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the NYU College of Dentistry and is committed to completing numerous hours of continuing education each year to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. For more information on dental checkups or to schedule an appointment at his office in Hoboken, visit his website or call (201) 683-3531.