Three common health problems tied to oral health

Many people think that going to the dentist is all about getting a bright and shining smile. While this is an important aspect of dentistry, an experienced dentist like Farzad Feiz, DDS, of Calabasas Dental Group and California Dental Care can also help patients with their overall health. According to Dr. Feiz, common dental problems like gum disease and jaw pain can point to a number of serious health issues whose diagnosis can be aided by regular visits to the dentist. Here are three common health problems that have proven ties to the health of your mouth.

1. Diabetes –Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, has been proven to negatively affect diabetes, and vice versa. Pamela McClain, the president of the American Academy of Periodontology, says that gum disease "further complicates diabetes because the inflammation impairs the body's ability to utilize insulin". It is especially important for anyone suffering from diabetes to make sure that they do everything that their dentist recommends to fend off gum disease. Additionally, an experienced West Los Angeles dentist like Dr. Feiz can identify regular recurrences of periodontal disease as a possible sign that a patient may have diabetes, due to the fact that patients suffering from diabetes get all kinds of infections much easier than someone without the disease.
2. Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis is the thinning or weakening of bones that generally occurs in female patients, but can also occur in men. While many women and men often attribute the first symptoms of osteoporosis to general aches and pains caused by aging, the weakening of teeth noticed by a dentist can help detect the disease. A good dentist like Dr. Feiz will ask if women are experiencing any other joint and bone pain if he or she notices that the patient is losing teeth at a peculiar rate.
3. Heart Disease – Patients with heart disease are much more likely to have gum disease than those without. Additionally, even if someone is already aware of their heart disease, working with their dentist to eliminate periodontal disease is extremely important in reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Because gum inflammation can lead to clogged arteries, people with periodontal disease are three times more likely to have a stroke and twice as likely to have a heart attack.