This entry was posted on 7/2/2007 2:00 PM and is filed under ARTICLES.
By Sylvia Perez
Your mouth may hold the key to diagnosing a whole host of ailments you may not even know you have and your dentist may be the one to identify the problems.
If you think a dental checkup is just to have teeth cleaned or checked for cavities, think again. A dentist can diagnose and possibly help cure a long list of medical problems.
Open wide in the dental chair these days and a routine exam may turn up more than you expect. Leeda Allen thought she was perfectly healthy. But her dentist discovered unusual holes in her teeth and figured out Leeda had acid reflux before she even knew there was a problem...
...Inflamed gums, excess cavities and oral infections can be a sign of heart disease Studies are even linking periodontal disease to hardened arteries. Researchers believe the presence of the bacteria that causes dental plaque build-up can have a negative effect on your cardiovascular health. Some dentists may even recommend you see a cardiologist if they notice you have serious gum disease.
