Getting to root of the problem
Dentists can tell a lot more about your health than you think, as Lisa Salmon discovers
WHILE dentists look after your teeth, they can also spot a host of other health problems – including cancer, diabetes and heart problems.
Dr Neil Banton, a dentist at Bupa Dental Care, said: “By using sight, sound and smell, dentists are in a prime position to spot health conditions in the rest of the body and inform patients before they would have an opportunity to raise them with their doctor.”
Here, Banton outlines what conditions a dentist can spot during each stage of a dental appointment:
At reception
Banton said: “If I pass a patient in reception, I can quickly identify posture, movement, speech and behavioural issues, which I take into account during their examination.
“Even something simple, like a patient struggling to complete their medical form, can be a signal of arthritis. Or if a patient appears agitated, it could suggest they are in pain.
“I also look out for slurred speech or a croaky voice, as these may potentially be the result of nerve damage to the vocal cords, cancer or a minor stroke.
“Speech problems can also indicate someone may suffer from a dry mouth, which can be a result of not drinking enough fluids, causing a lack of saliva.
“This is a common symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome, a disease of the salivary glands. In rare cases, dry mouth can show in people who are malnourished or an alcoholic.
“Many medications can also cause a dry mouth, inflammation of the gums, or altered taste while some may, as side-effects, cause confusion, drowsiness, or dehydration – particularly in elderly patients, which can all affect the provision of dental treatment. “This is why dentists ask patients to complete a medical history form and repeat the process frequently, and why you must tell them if you’re taking something new or different, or have stopped taking it.”
In the surgery
Banton said: “I take notice of a patient’s appearance when they’re called into the treatment room as it can help determine whether any precautions are necessary, as well as treatment options.
“For example, someone who has a flushed face may suffer from high blood pressure, which means they won’t be eligible for sedation and/or certain drugs.
“I’ve also seen patients who have very pale skin, accompanied by pale lips, tongue, palms, inside of the mouth and lining of the eyes.
“After suggesting they visit their doctor and get a blood test, they’ve found it is linked to anaemia.”
In the chair
A closer examination of the face can help dentists identify everything from swollen glands to signs of diabetes.
Banton said: “Swollen salivary glands can cause puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw, which are easy to spot and suggestive of multiple health conditions, such as mumps.
“Swollen glands can also be a side-effect of bulimia, which can cause patients to sound hoarse and suffer from a sore throat.”
In the mouth
Dentists can spot another sign of bulimia – tooth erosion.
Banton said: “A distinct pattern of tooth wear can be due to repeated episodes of vomiting, which can contribute to increased cavities.”
Dentists are also trained to identify odour coming from the teeth and gums.
Banton added: “Certain smells mean different things – for example, the smell of pear drops is often indicative of uncontrolled diabetes.”
They will also look for signs of mouth and neck cancer, such as an ulcer that won’t heal, or difficulty swallowing or chewing.
But not every disease is visible and Banton says when a patient mentions they’re experiencing severe jaw pain or a burning sensation in the mouth, it could be a symptom of a heart attack.
He said: “About five per cent of coronary episodes manifest in the jaw.
“My message is to be open about wider health concerns with dentists, to ensure we can properly deliver our duty of care, making sure everyone lives longer, healthier, happier lives.”