The mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. Ultimately, your dental health and general health are closely related and say a lot about each other. That’s why going over your health history and medications is so important during your dental visits. Here are some health factors that you should let your dentist know about at your next appointment if you haven’t already.
New Medications
Some medicines can have an impact on your oral health because they make you more susceptible to things like dry mouth and gingivitis. If you have started taking any new medications of supplements, let your dentist know so they can take this into consideration. It’s important that they take all the necessary precautions to keep your smile and general health in good shape.
Hypertension
If you have high blood pressure, this is something that your dentist should be aware of. Gum disease and other oral infections can raise your blood pressure further, reducing the effectiveness of medications you may be taking.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause widespread health issues throughout your body. Periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, often develops in patients who have diabetes. This makes it more difficult to keep blood sugar levels regulated and can lead to dangerous outcomes. Even if your diabetes is currently under control, this is still something that you should make your dentist aware of.
Digestive Health Problems
Did you know that oral health and gut health have a symbiotic relationship? Both of these aspects of your health greatly affect the other. Teeth and bite alignment impact your digestion, while an insufficient absorption of nutrition can take a toll on your dental health over time.
Jaw Pain and Headaches
Jaw, neck, and head pain are often associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Sufferers experience pain and compromised movement of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. By making this known by your dentist, they can give you tips and help you achieve some relief.
Gum Tenderness
One of the symptoms of the first stage of gum disease is a state of chronic inflammation. Symptoms include gum swelling, tenderness, bleeding, and redness. Gingivitis is very responsive to treatment early on, so let your dentist know.
Next time you go to the dentist, be sure to let your dental team know. This way, they can take all of the right steps to keep you and your smile in good shape.
About the Practice
At Premier Dental Care, Dr. Farshad Bakhtyari and Dr. Pooyan Refahi are experienced dentists serving patients in the Herndon community. With their combined skills and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (703) 860-8860.