Am I A High-Risk Dental Patient?

Whether it is due to your lifestyle habits or your genes, some patients are more at risk for oral health problems than others. For a number of reasons, it is important to know if you are considered a high-risk patient. First you’ll need to practice more diligent oral hygiene habits at home and even visit your dentist for routine exams more frequently than the average patient. In fact, your dentist may want to see you three times a year or more if you are a high risk dental patient, instead of the recommended twice a year schedule.

Another reason it is important to know where you stand as far as your likelihood for dental problems is for your overall health. Your mouth is the entryway into your body. Oral health conditions can pose a serious threat to your heart, brain, bones and blood pressure!

Patients Who Are At Greater Risk For Oral Health Issues

Those with the following habits or conditions are typically considered “high-risk” patients:

• Smokers
• Pregnant women
• Diabetics
• Gum disease patients
• Patients who have a weak immune response to bacterial infections
• Patients who get cavities or plaque build-up often

These patients are more likely to encounter problems with inflamed gums (gum disease) or tooth decay (cavities). Untreated periodontal disease can affect heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, premature birth and osteoporosis. Therefore, you’ll want to stay on top of your oral health if you are considered high-risk. This includes calling your dentist at the first sign of changes in your mouth, whether it is swollen gums, a toothache, changes in your bite or an oral lesion.

Your risk for oral health problems is likely to change throughout your life, depending on your age, lifestyle habits, stress or illness. To learn your current risk for dental health problems, call Salt Run Family Dentistry. We can advise you on how often you need to attend routine dental exams to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.