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April 28, 2024

Part Dentist, Part Detective
Importance of Dental Visits Increases with Understanding of Greater Connections

Heading to the dentist's office? Your visit may double as a private health investigation.

As research continues to uncover links between the health of our mouths and the rest of our bodies, making regular visits to the dental office is becoming all the more important.

"Routine dental visits can uncover a number of things about our health, and put us on the path to preventing and managing bigger health issues for ourselves and our families," said Katina Morelli, DDS, dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois.

Here are some diseases and the clues they leave1 in our mouths for oral health professionals to discover. Upper respiratory disorders. Viral infections in the lungs of sufferers can produce lesions or sores inside their mouths.

Viral infections in the lungs of sufferers can produce lesions or sores inside their mouths.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The persistent, induced vomiting of people who suffer from bulimia can cause a chemical erosion of their tooth enamel and make their teeth unpleasantly sensitive. Their fillings can become raised above the eroded surface of their teeth, where the fillings can easily chip during chewing. The starvation that often accompanies anorexia enlarges salivary glands located below and in front of ears, so the faces of sufferers can appear full and round.

The persistent, induced vomiting of people who suffer from bulimia can cause a chemical erosion of their tooth enamel and make their teeth unpleasantly sensitive. Their fillings can become raised above the eroded surface of their teeth, where the fillings can easily chip during chewing. The starvation that often accompanies anorexia enlarges salivary glands located below and in front of ears, so the faces of sufferers can appear full and round.

Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia. Sufferers who repeatedly burp bile into their mouths can experience eroded tooth enamel, sensitive teeth and a bitter taste in their mouths.

Sufferers who repeatedly burp bile into their mouths can experience eroded tooth enamel, sensitive teeth and a bitter taste in their mouths.

Diabetes. Clues left in the mouths of diabetics include inflammation, infections, dry mouth, burning tongue, persistent gingivitis, and multiple lesions. Even patients who know they have diabetes may require special care: they may be taking medications that inhibit their ability to produce saliva, an important ally in the fight against cavities and gum disease.

. Clues left in the mouths of diabetics include inflammation, infections, dry mouth, burning tongue, persistent gingivitis, and multiple lesions. Even patients who know they have diabetes may require special care: they may be taking medications that inhibit their ability to produce saliva, an important ally in the fight against cavities and gum disease.

Kidney failure. Dentists can also find evidence of kidney failure. Retarded tooth development in children, dry mouth, odor, metallic taste, ulcers on the tongues and gums in adults may lead the dentist to suggest a visit to a medical doctor to check for properly functioning kidneys.

. Dentists can also find evidence of kidney failure. Retarded tooth development in children, dry mouth, odor, metallic taste, ulcers on the tongues and gums in adults may lead the dentist to suggest a visit to a medical doctor to check for properly functioning kidneys.

Anemia. Some of the earliest signs of anemia, where our bodies don't produce enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells, are oral. These signs include burning, fiery red tongue, inflamed mucous membranes and difficulty swallowing.

. Some of the earliest signs of anemia, where our bodies don't produce enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells, are oral. These signs include burning, fiery red tongue, inflamed mucous membranes and difficulty swallowing.

Osteoporosis. As part of standard first visits, dentists and their staff take x-rays of the mouth area to spot oral health problems, typically no more serious than cavities. However, in some cases these x-rays show jawbones that have eroded and become thinner, a symptom of osteoporosis.

As part of standard first visits, dentists and their staff take x-rays of the mouth area to spot oral health problems, typically no more serious than cavities. However, in some cases these x-rays show jawbones that have eroded and become thinner, a symptom of osteoporosis.

So what does this potential for finding other conditions mean for people heading to the dentist?

For dentists, the emphasis will remain protecting and promoting oral health. But as part of that commitment, patients will find their initial and follow-up exams to cover health topics outside their mouths. Dental professionals will inquire about their medical history, discuss medications the patients are taking, and may measure vital signs. All of this is a part of diagnosing the oral health of patients and developing treatment plans.

"There are many factors that contribute to the state of our oral health and our bodies. Patients can expect the contemporary dental professional to take a systematic approach to protecting and promoting their oral health. That's what works best," Dr. Morelli said.

Delta Dental of Illinois (DDIL) is a not-for-profit dental service corporation specializing in providing comprehensive, easy-to-use and cost-effective benefits to over one million employees and family members in 2,500 employee groups throughout Illinois. Based in Lisle, Ill., DDIL offers an array of extensive nationwide network-based managed fee-for-service, PPO and dental HMO plans.

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1. Steven L. Bricker, Robert P. Langlais, and Craig S. Miller, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine and Treatment Planning (Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1994).