What Happens During a Checkup With Dr. Lechner?

  

It's recommended to have dental exams every six months for a reason. Regular exams still are vital in having a beautiful smile and ensuring good oral health. However, exams also check for health problems that aren't restricted to gums and teeth.

 

These routine dental exams are in order to diagnose a variety of ailments. This is particularly useful as health issues are most easily treatable when discovered early. If not detected early, some diseases can cause major problems. But it isn't only your mouth, as some signs and symptoms observed in a dental exam may indicate diseases in the rest of your body. 

 

Regular visits with Dr. Lechner can cut down your risk for various illnesses. Not having professional cleanings will allow the bacteria in your mouth to adhere to your teeth, coating the surface of your teeth with a biofilm. This bacteria can find its way into your tissues and blood vessels, causing inflammation or illness in other parts of your body.

 

This might surprise you, but visits to the dentist may also help save you from a heart attack. According to research conducted by the American Heart Association, those who don't get their regular teeth cleanings and exams have a 24% greater risk of suffering a heart attack and a 13% higher risk of a stroke than those who have regular dental exams. Dentists also spot high blood pressure in their patients and refer them to a doctor.

 

Your mouth could show symptoms like bleeding gums or tooth enamel erosion which could be signs of diseases like acid reflux, eating disorders, and osteoporosis. Periodontal disease could be a sign you may have diabetes. Ulcers in the mouth may be associated with Crohn's disease, whereas a condition called oral thrush can indicate an issue like HIV.

Additionally, checkups with a dentist look for risk factors for fatal diseases like oral cancer.

 

So, now you know why your dentist appointments are important to your health.

 

Have you made your next appointment with Dr. Lechner? Get in touch with us to schedule one!