Arguably, the most important trips you can make to your dentist’s office are the regular checkups and cleanings. These allow your dentist to get rid of plaque deposits on the teeth, dramatically decreasing your risk of contracting gum disease or tooth decay.
They’re also an opportunity to talk to your dentist about some of issues that could be affecting your oral health. Being able to talk to a professional about what you can do to better your teeth is an opportunity that you shouldn’t pass up. Here are some health conditions it may be a good idea to ask about at your next checkup.
New Medications
Typically whenever you start a new medication you’ll talk to your doctor about what kinds of side effects could come with it. However, depending on the medication you’re taking, this could be a fairly long list. Some of these side effects could have an impact on your oral health, so it’s often a good idea to talk to your dentist about any new medications that you start.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a complex condition, one that can have wide-ranging effects on the human body. It’s common for diabetes to have an impact on the immune system, which from an oral health perspective often means that patients with this condition are unusually likely to develop serious gum disease.
Talking to your dentist about your diabetes gives them an opportunity to look out for potential issues, as well as to talk to you about what you may need to do in order to compensate for the effects of the condition.
High Blood Pressure
If you’ve been to the dentist recently, you might have been surprised to find that they’ll take your blood pressure as a part of your exam. That’s because certain oral health problems, like gum disease, can potentially lead to an increase in blood pressure—one that could become dangerous if you’re already dealing with this problem. For this reason, if you know that you’re already dealing with high blood pressure, it’s smart to bring that up with your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Giamberardino is a stunningly qualified dentist who loves nothing more than being able to use his incredible skills to help his patients smile their brightest. He received his dental degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and since then has earned the Harvard Community Health Plan DIAMOND AWARD for excellence in patient care and staff satisfaction. He is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and a member of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine’s Continuing Education Committee.
If you have any questions about dental checkups, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (781) 396-3800.