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Oral Health and Your Body: Medical Conditions  
It’s important to realize that your dentist sees much more than just your teeth. Some health-related conditions that show up in the mouth include: Communication with your dentist is vital. During your visit, talk to your dentist about your ongoing health concerns so that he or she may help you.Your dentist may adjust your treatment if you have certain medical conditions, use certain prescription drugs or are currently undergoing medical treatment, such as radiation or chemotherapy.

Diabetes
Research shows that gum disease and diabetes may affect one another. For instance, gum disease can intensify the complications associated with diabetes by increasing blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels over an extended period of time are associated with premature degeneration of eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels.

Studies have also shown that people with diabetes face a greater risk of developing oral infections and gum disease than those who do not have diabetes. The good news is that the treatment of either gum disease or diabetes can lead to improvements in the other.

Your dentist has the training and experience necessary to assess your oral health, and to determine a course of treatment that is best for you. Some of the most common oral health problems associated with diabetes are:
  • tooth decay
  • gum disease
  • dry mouth
  • fungal infections
  • lesions in the mouth
  • taste impairment
  • infection and delayed healing
If you are a diabetic, speak to your dentist about the best course of treatment for you. Make sure to let him or her know:
  • if the diabetes is under control
  • if you take insulin and when your last usual dose of insulin was administered
  • if there has been any other change in your medical history
  • the names of all the herbal medicines, prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking
Oral Cancer
Your dentist can play an important role in the early detection of oral cancer. Dentistry is about prevention and the dental exam is the foundation of good oral health. A dentist may notice subtle changes in the mouth that a patient won’t.

The oral cancer examination performed by your dentist during a routine dental exam is fast, easy and painless – and it could save your life.

Bulimia & Anorexia Nervosa
Both anorexia and bulimia are serious eating disorders. They occur when men or women have an extreme fear of becoming overweight. This can lead not only to excessive dieting, but sometimes, death.

Both conditions have implications for your teeth because your body is not getting the minerals, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients that are needed to maintain good oral health and good overall health.

In addition, a person who is bulimic may binge eat and then vomit. When this occurs the acids that break down your food eat away at the tooth enamel and may wreak havoc on your mouth. Translucent and worn teeth, bad breath or a swollen mouth, throat and glands may result.

Your Dentist Sees More Than Just Your Teeth

Your dentist plays a very important role in your health-care team. Dentists have the skills and the expertise — not only to treat oral health disease — but to help you with all of your oral health needs.

It’s important to keep your dentist up-to-date on your health and medications. Let’s say you have a heart murmur, or have just had a hip or knee replaced. You may need antibiotics before dental work to reduce the risk of infection.

Many dental procedures involve some bleeding of the gums and healthy blood clotting is important to recovery. Conditions such as liver disease and medications such as aspirin, blood thinners, and some herbal remedies may affect the ability of the blood to clot normally.

Your dentist can also spot emerging medical problems. For example, the onset of bleeding from your gums may suggest the beginning of gum disease that could also be related to adult-onset diabetes if your gums have otherwise been healthy.

Speak to your dentist about the relationship between good oral health and overall health.
 
   
June 13, 2011 - Source: Ontario Dental Assocation  
   
 
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