How your mouth can affect a condition you already have
Gum disease and infections in the gums or teeth can worsen existing health problems. When you have gum disease, bacteria can push your blood sugar up, which makes diabetes harder to control. In people with heart disease, a bacterial infection that reaches the bloodstream can affect the heart valves.
How a condition can affect your mouth
The link works both ways. Some conditions raise your risk of gum disease, and gum disease can then aggravate them. Skipping care in one area can start a cycle that is hard to break.
If you have had a heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, a stroke or chest pain (angina), ask your cardiologist for approval before scheduling dental treatment. Then tell us about your heart condition, past procedures and medications so we can plan for any emergency. This applies to every health condition, not just heart disease.
Whole-health dental care
Many dentists treat one problem at a time. We look at your health as a whole. We explain your condition, how it developed, what else it may point to and how to address its root cause. Most primary care providers rarely ask about oral health, so with your permission we work with your medical team to tailor your plan and spot warning signs early. See how a general dentist fits into your care.
Dental insurance and preexisting conditions
Dental plans differ. Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance is not required by law to cover every condition, and many plans include preexisting-condition clauses or waiting periods. Many plans cover minor issues such as cavities, while some may not cover more serious ones. When comparing plans, check what each one counts as preexisting and whether the out-of-pocket costs fit your budget.
Have a heart, diabetes or other health condition? Tell us at your first visit. Call (781) 289-3331.
Common questions
What raises the risk of gum disease?
The main factor is plaque from poor oral hygiene. Smoking, tobacco, some medications, certain genetic markers, systemic diseases and clenching or grinding your teeth also add risk.
What are the signs of gum disease?
Healthy gums are pink and fit snugly around the teeth. With gum disease they can look red or purplish, swollen and bleed easily. Teeth may look longer as gums recede and pockets deepen.
What are the symptoms of a cavity?
Early decay may cause no symptoms. As it grows you may notice pain, sensitivity, visible pits or holes, discoloration or pain when biting.
What happens if I do not treat a cavity?
It can cause pain, swelling, trouble chewing and shifting teeth. It can also turn into an abscess, an infection that can spread and, in extreme cases, become life-threatening.
What is scaling and root planing?
It is a deep cleaning for chronic gum disease. Scaling removes plaque from the teeth and from the pockets under the gums, and root planing smooths the roots so the gums can reattach.