Your overall health can affect your smile.

They say your mouth is the window into your overall health, and the dental team at Compass Dental Group can tell a lot about you from your mouth. Your mouth is the entryway for many of your body’s systems, including the respiratory and cardiovascular system. With how interconnected your body is, your Maryville dentist can tell if your health is suffering in other ways by how your teeth and gums look during a biannual dental check-up. Find out how your overall health impacts your dental health.

Medical Conditions That Show Up in the Mouth

There are many different medical conditions that can affect your dental health. Here are some conditions that can cause your oral health to deteriorate.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s Disease is a condition that affects the brain, and many doctors find that a person’s oral health tends to deteriorate as the Alzheimer’s gets worse.

Cancer: Gum disease can be a cause of many types of cancer, including esophageal, lung, breast, and prostate cancer, among others.

Cardiovascular Disease: Doctors have found through research that things like heart disease and stroke can be linked to infections and inflammation of the gums.

Diabetes: Diabetes can affect someone’s overall health because diabetes can lessen the body’s ability to fight off infections, including gum disease.

Endocarditis: Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves. This happens when germs from other parts of the body, especially the mouth, spread through the blood.

HIV/AIDS: Mucosal lesions, or mouth sores, are common in those who have HIV and AIDS, as well as other oral problems.

Pneumonia: If certain germs from the mouth get into the lungs and respiratory system, it can cause pneumonia or other respiratory diseases.

Besides gum disease, bad breath, and inflammation, there are other oral health problems that people may be dealing with. That can include dry mouth and the wearing down of the tooth’s enamel, which is the outermost hard layer of the tooth that protects all of the tooth’s inside structures.

Why Your Health History Matters

There are many different health issues that can affect your overall dental health, which is why it is important to know your full medical history. Different medications and chronic conditions can cause an issue with treatment methods your dentist may choose. For instance, someone on blood thinners should alert their dentist of the medication before any dental procedure.

Other things your dentist should be aware of include the following.

• Current medications you are taking, including vitamins
• Any allergies to medications
• Previous or upcoming surgeries or procedures
• Information on any chronic health problems

When your dentist has a full picture of your health history, they can better treat your teeth and gums without causing any other issues with your health.

The Role of Comprehensive Dental Care

Preventive dental care is an important part of a healthy oral health routine. At Compass Dental Group, we use a full approach to dental care that involves reviewing your overall health and not just on fixing teeth.

Our full approach to dental care includes:

• Initial Consultation: In the initial consultation, we’ll discuss your dental history and learn what your goals are for your dental health.
• Thorough Dental Evaluation: We will examine your entire mouth, including gums, teeth, and jaw, as well as take dental X-rays to catch any hidden oral health dangers.
• Assessment of Overall Health: After your evaluation, we’ll discuss your overall health and any medical history that may affect your dental health.
• Development of a Personalized Plan: At the end of your appointment, we’ll discuss a treatment plan that is curtailed just for you.

Our comprehensive approach to dental care includes:

• Preventive Dental Care: Preventive dental care is about preventing any dental issues so they don’t turn into major issues later. By visiting Compass Dental Group at least once every six months for a complete dental evaluation, you’ll put your oral health at the forefront.
• Restorative Dental Care: Wear and tear happens, so Compass Dental Group offers restorative dental care, which includes fillings for any chips, cracks, or small cavities that need to be taken care of.
• Cosmetic Dentistry: For those who are looking to change the way their smile looks, cosmetic dentistry treatments include teeth whitening, dental crowns, and dental implants.

Contact Compass Dental Group today.

If you haven’t visited Maryville’s Compass Dental Group in the last six months, now is the time to make an appointment for a preventive dental care appointment. Our team wants to make sure your oral health isn’t affecting your overall health. Give us a call today to start your health journey!