How a dental check-up may save your life

How a dental check-up may save your life

Most diseases of the teeth and gums can be cured.  At the same time, there are other diseases of the body which affect oral health and can be detected in a single visit to the dentist. You will be amazed to find out that a regular dental check-up may end up saving your life.

Here are some of the diagnoses a dentist can make:

  1. Heart disease.

Tooth loss can be an important clue, according to a study by researchers at the University of Minnesota. A link between heart disease and some dental problems has been established by previous studies, but more recent ones suggest that bacteria which cause gum infection can also inflame blood vessels. Early signs of heart disease include bleeding gums, bad taste in the mouth, bad breath or abscesses. In more advanced stages, the teeth weaken and begin to fall out.

  1. High blood pressure

Without visible symptoms, hypertension often goes undetected, but can lead to strokes, heart attacks and kidney disease. Inflammation of the gums is a good indicator of hypertension. In North America, many dentists monitor the blood pressure of their patients. 

  1. Premature birth

Gum disease during pregnancy can increase a woman’s risk of giving birth prematurely, as it increases the secretion of prostaglandins (the hormones that induce labor). In such cases, a simple dental check-up may reduce the risk of giving birth prematurely. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology showed that properly treating gum disease can substantially reduce the risk of premature birth.

  1. Diabetes

Gum disease, infections, hard-to-heal ulcers, a swollen tongue or dry mouth may be indications of diabetes, diagnosed or not. Diabetics are prone to canker sores, which a dentist can often easily identify.

  1. Pregnancy

Bleeding or swollen gums may be the first signs of pregnancy. Hormonal changes in expectant mothers make their gums swell more easily, a condition known as pregnancy-induced gingivitis. Pregnant women are encouraged to go to the dentist for treatment.

  1. Eating Disorders

If you suffer from bulimia or anorexia, you can’t hide it from the dentist, because these diseases destroy the tooth enamel. Although eating disorders are most common in young women, the symptoms are sometimes seen in men as well.

  1. Avitaminosis, cirrhosis or HIV infection

A swollen tongue, an unusual sensation in the mouth or a strange taste can be caused by deficiencies of vitamin B, iron or zinc. If your tongue hurts, you may not have any concerns, but this may indicate a lack of vitamins that are quite difficult to identify. The sensation of pain can be an indication of more serious problems – liver cirrhosis or even HIV infection. Ulcers that are difficult to heal may also indicate herpes, canker sores, tuberculosis or syphilis.

  1. Vascular diseases

Dry mouth or a strange taste may be signs of anemia. Your doctor may also tell you that you have a blockage of your salivary glands or diabetes. Swollen gums may be a sign of leukemia.

  1. Oral cancer

If you detect unusual ulcers or abnormal swelling in the mouth, the dentist’s advice is to go to the doctor. There is a slim chance it could be oral cancer, a disease most often diagnosed by dentists. Oral cancer can be located on the tongue, lips, and under the tongue.

  1. Rheumatoid arthritis

Pain or immobility of the mandible (lower jaw bone) could indicate diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or some forms of lupus.

Our advice is not to wait for any signs of problems in your oral cavity and schedule regular appointments with the dentist, every 4-6 months. Remember that nothing is more important than your health and wellbeing!

We’re waiting for you in our office 😊

What are clear signs indicating it’s time for a visit to the dentist?

What are clear signs indicating it’s time for a visit to the dentist?

If you don’t normally plan regular dental check-ups for prevention, then your body will make sure you know when it has a problem. Your body will give you signs, letting you know that you should book a visit to your dentist as soon as possible. Some conditions can occur before you feel any symptoms. In some cases, the symptoms appear when the problem is already serious.

Here are some of the warnings you should pay attention to:

  1. Bad breath

Bad breath (halitosis) can affect your relationships and social life. In addition to the fact that it is unpleasant for those around you, it can be a sign that you suffer from gingivitis or gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. The chronic inflammation that causes halitosis may lead to total tooth loss. If bad breath persists, make an appointment with your dentist to detect the cause of the problem.

  1. Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Tell your doctor if you have difficulty chewing or swallowing. The dentist will help you determine why. This is not a healthy situation, so the sooner you treat the condition, the more likely it can be cured.

  1. Dental pain

Dental pain can indicate a serious underlying condition. Despite the fact that it is uncomfortable, we often wait a few days to see if the pain passes. Our advice is to go to the dentist, even if the pain subsides. The cause of the discomfort needs to be diagnosed and properly treated.

  1. Swollen or bleeding gums

If your gums are swollen or bleeding during brushing, it may be another sign that you have gingivitis. Inflammation of the gums occurs due to bacterial plaque that builds up at the base of the gums. If left untreated, as in the case of bad breath, it can lead to periodontitis.

  1. White spots on the teeth

White spots on the teeth are often the first indication of cavities. Acid produced by bacteria in the oral cavity dissolves tooth enamel, which can lead to decay. Regular visits to the dentist will identify and treat cavities in the early stages, before the onset of any complications.

  1. Teeth sensitivity

If left untreated, decay can advance to the center of the tooth, reaching the nerve. Once this happens, the tooth will be sensitive to air and hot or cold drinks. This sensitivity is a sign that you may have an advanced cavity. The faster you get treatment, the easier it will be to avoid other problems.

  1. Dry mouth

Dry mouth can occur for simple reasons such as aging or the administration of certain drugs. However, dry mouth can also be a sign of the presence of bacteria or disease in the oral cavity. It’s best not to ignore it. Schedule a visit to the dentist to find out why.

  1. Headache

Have you ever thought that oral problems can cause headaches? In fact, they are closely linked. If you often wake up with a headache in the morning, you may suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding during sleep). A dentist can detect the problem, and may recommend a night guard to protect your teeth, at the same time relieving the morning headaches.

In summary, early intervention will reduce the chance of diseases and further complications. It will also save you from other potentially expensive treatments in the future. At Pacifica Dental, we have experienced specialists and a modern clinic waiting for you. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment to discuss your oral health.

Custom timing for dental check-ups at Pacifica Dental

Custom timing for dental check-ups at Pacifica Dental

There are two main scenarios for going to the dentist: when you want to or when you need to. The second option is less desirable, because, most times, it involves dental pain or discomfort. The ideal option is to have dental check-ups regularly, according to a custom plan built together with your doctor, depending on your needs. At Pacifica Dental, we create such plans for our patients.

Some people think that, in order to have healthy teeth, going to the dentist once a year will suffice. In our opinion, this is not usually enough for most people. As you well know, every person is unique, with specific body types, habits, and health conditions. These factors influence our oral health, which in turn impacts our general health.

For example, permanent teeth are very vulnerable to cavities as soon as they come in, so in children aged six to eight, dental check-ups are recommended at shorter intervals. In adolescence, the teeth are less vulnerable until the wisdom teeth appear, on average around twenty years old. As people age, the rate of dental decay, tooth loss, mouth infections, and gum disease increases. It is also common to find that our teeth will start to move. Our oral health, and hence our general health, varies at different stages of life.

We are aware that smoking is a habit that can lead to various health problems. Not only does it increase the likelihood of bad breath, canker sores and even cancer, but it also strengthens the bacteria in the mouth, making them more resistant. The mouth is already one of the dirtiest parts of the body, and cigarette smoke will encourage the growth of bacteria, which in turn can lead to cavities and gum disease. Smokers are recommended to visit the dentist more often than non-smokers.

Stomach conditions, such as acid reflux, can often have a negative impact on our oral health. If the acidity reaches our mouth, it results in not only bad breath but can also cause cavities at the base of the gums. These cavities can be easily treated if they are found at an early stage. If not discovered right away, they can reach the tooth root or even expand to neighboring teeth, possibly becoming painful and making the treatment process a bit more complicated.

Other factors, such as frequently drinking coffee, red wine or eating sweets, will influence how often your dentist recommends you schedule a visit. To maintain excellent oral hygiene, it is often suggested that patients have professional cleanings 3-4 times a year and follow a personalized hygiene plan.

In conclusion, exactly how long you wait between visits with your dentist depends on the assessment you and your doctor will make. Schedule an appointment with Pacifica Dental and start taking better care of your oral health!