If you are busy with work and kids, dental checkups may seem a pointless expense, and a pain to try to attend. But would you skip out on your yearly physician’s exam? Probably not. You know that your doctor is checking for illnesses that you do not want to get, and it is a relief to get a clean bill of health. The same goes for dental checkups. Your dental checkups should be a relief too when your dentist tells you that you have no cavities, cancer, or other dental diseases. Yes, your dentist is looking for much more than tooth decay.
Check List
Your dentist is not only looking for dental issues during your bi-annual dental checkups. Yes, he or she is looking for tooth decay, but they are checking for signs of oral cancer or other diseases, too. Did you know that over 90 percent of illnesses present in the mouth first?
Dental Issues
The types of dental issues that your dentist is checking for include:
- Cavities
- Malocclusion
- Bruxing
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Old, worn, or damaged crowns, or other dental work
Medical Issues
Your oral/dental health can be indicative of your overall health. Not only do many illnesses such as HIV and AIDS present in the mouth first, dental disease such as periodontitis can exacerbate or lead to systemic illness including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. During your checkup your dentist should exam the following:
- Teeth
- Gums
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Throat
- Jaw
- Head
- Face
- Neck
Be Aware That…
Poor oral health can indicate other health issues such as vitamin deficiencies, dementia, AIDS, or cancer, or the risk of developing health problems such as diabetes, joint problems, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Don’t Forget That…
Periodontal disease develops due to poor oral health habits, and left untreated is the major cause of tooth loss.
ABOUT YOUR NORTH RICHLAND HILLS DENTIST:
With over 25 years of professional experience, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler and his caring team proudly provide exceptional preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatment to patients and their families across Dallas/Ft. Worth, including North Richland Hills, Denton, the Mid-cities, Southlake, and all surrounding communities. We also have extensive experience helping patients find relief from painful TMJ disorders (various forms of jaw dysfunction). To schedule an appointment with Dr. Huffstutler, contact our office today by calling 817-918-3038.