Regular dental visits lead to more than just a healthy smile — they can also benefit your child’s overall health.
It’s that time of year again — your child’s dentist appointment. Visiting the dentist twice a year helps kids have healthy and cavity-free teeth. But did you know that their dental checkups can help spot signs of other medical problems too?
“A child’s teeth, tongue and gums can point us to other health problems going on in their body,” says Jonelle Anamelechi, D.D.S., M.S.P.H. She’s a board-certified pediatric dentist and owner of Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry in Washington, D.C.
Here are seven illnesses and conditions a pediatric dentist might be able to help detect.
More than 280,000 children and teens have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Your dentist can help spot the signs.
“The gums will look glossy,” says Dr. Anamelechi. That’s because diabetes raises sugar levels in a child’s saliva. And that can cause bacteria and plaque buildup. Sometimes the tongue will be larger than normal, or it will look hairy, she adds.
If the dentist thinks your child may have diabetes, head to the pediatrician for a blood test to check their sugar levels.
Your Premier Access plan makes it easy. No travel. No scheduling hassles. No additional cost to you! Click below to find your school and sign up.*
*You’ll be directed to MySchoolDentist to complete a permission form.
Sleep apnea causes a person to stop and start their breathing repeatedly during sleep. One sign is loud snoring. But it can be hard to tell if your little one has sleep apnea if they don’t show signs.
Luckily, your dentist can help. “We tell parents to check for airway issues, which can cause sleep problems, if we notice a child breathing mainly out of their mouth,” says Dr. Anamelechi. Dental exams can also check to see whether their tonsils are bigger than normal. That can be another sign of sleep apnea.
If your dentist suspects mouth breathing and thinks sleep apnea might be a problem, they might tell you to follow up with your pediatrician or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) to check your child’s airways and tonsils.
Does your little one drink enough water during the day? Research shows that many kids and teens don’t. Some symptoms of dehydration include:
In fact, a 2021 study found that the less water you drink, the worse your teeth and mouth health are.
It’s normal for kids to feel nervous when they go to the dentist. But if your child always finds it hard to focus and sit still during their exam, it could be a sign of ADHD.
Besides trouble focusing and being more hyperactive than other patients their age, they may also have more cavities than the average child, says Dr. Anamelechi. That’s because some ADHD medicines may have an effect on saliva and can cause side effects such as dry mouth, which raises the risk of cavities.
So, if your child is taking ADHD medicine, it’s even more important to keep tabs on their dental health. It’s also harder for kids with ADHD to stick to routines such as brushing their teeth and flossing.
Stuffy noses can cause your little one to breathe through their mouth, which can dry it out. Dry mouth means that they won’t make enough saliva to wash away leftover food and germs. And that can lead to bad breath and gum disease.
Over-the-counter allergy medications such as antihistamines can cause dry mouth too. So, if your child has dental issues and allergies, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor about other treatments.
Some eating disorders such as bulimia cause people to throw up often. The stomach acid from vomiting can break down tooth enamel, says Dr. Anamelechi. Tooth enamel is the outer coating of the teeth.
Throwing up can also hurt your gums. It can make them red, raw, and even bloody. If your child’s dentist thinks bulimia might be a problem, talk to your pediatrician right away.
Many gum and teeth problems are not caused by serious health problems. But it’s important to know that sometimes serious illnesses such as leukemia can show up at dentist appointments.
A common oral symptom of leukemia is bleeding gums. It happens because of low platelet levels in the blood. Platelets help the body stop bleeding.
“We also see red and swollen gums, sores, and other lesions, which is a sign that the body isn’t healing itself,” she adds. Visit your pediatrician if your dentist notices these symptoms and your child has other issues such as:
Bottom line: Heading to the dentist twice a year can help your child have better overall health.
Sources:
