WHAT YOUR TEETH SAY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Your teeth say much more about your overall health than you may realize. By examining your teeth and gums during your regularly scheduled teeth cleaning appointments, Dr. Chapnick can detect problems which may be indicative of larger health issues impacting other regions of your body. For this reason, it is important to visit our Barrie, Ontario family dentistry office twice a year for your routine dental checkups.

Some general health issues which may be detected by examining the condition of your teeth and gums include:

• Stress – If you are under a great deal of stress, it may lead to excessive tooth wear. Issues such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) or chronic headaches may be a sign of stress-related teeth grinding.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – Cracked teeth or weakened tooth enamel is commonly caused by the presence of stomach acid in the mouth and may be a sign that you suffer from GERD.
• Dry mouth – Chronic dry mouth is very common among people with diabetes or Sjogren’s syndrome.
• Oral cancer – The presence of sores in your mouth which do not clear up may be a sign of oral cancer.
• Suppressed immune system – Excessive gum growth may indicate the presence of an immune system disorder or a problem with certain medications you are taking.

By visiting Dr. Chapnick twice a year, you increase the chances that these general health issues will be detected and diagnosed in their early stages. Some of these problems can easily be treated at our Barrie, Ontario family dentistry office, while others may require treatment from your doctor. Regardless, early diagnosis is the best way to ensure these conditions are treated effectively.

Please contact Chapnick Dental Office today to schedule your routine dental checkup. Dr. Chapnick serves patients in Barrie, Ontario.