• 7/5/2007
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Denise Dador
  • abc7.com

Dentists might be able to diagnose more than just cavities, in fact going to the dentist could potentially save your life.

Leeda Allen’s dentist saw holes in her teeth and figured out she had acid reflux, before she even knew there was a problem.
“I was shocked. I wouldn’t have thought my stomach would have had such an effect,” says Allen.

Turns out, dentists can do a lot more than check your teeth.

“This is about more than a cleaning. We’re kind of like detectives or like sleuths,” explains Dr. Joseph Kravitz, Dentist.

Tooth erosion and a burning or sour taste are symptoms of reflux disease. Type 2 diabetes often results in bright red, bleeding gums and bad breath.

An ammonia smell in the mouth is a sign of kidney disease.

Accelerated tooth loss can be a sign of osteoporosis. And white spots in gums, a symptom of oral cancer.

“Oral cancer is probably the number one thing that we find on patients,” says Dr. Kravitz.

Inflamed gums, excess cavities and oral infections can be a sign of heart disease.

Fiery red gums and wounds that won’t heal are a sign of leukemia. And tooth erosion can indicate bulimia.

“You notice the upper back of the front teeth are thin and eroded and more yellow because the healthy whiter enamel color is gone off the back of the teeth,” explains Dr. Kravitz.

It could be sleep apnea if a patient’s tongue blocks their airway when they’re tipped back in the chair. And a woman might be pregnant if blowing air on gums makes them bleed.

“At least ten times, they didn’t know they were pregnant before they came to see me,” says Dr. Kravitz.

And that’s ten reasons the 40% of patients who don’t get regular dental check ups, should.

Researchers believe the bacteria that causes dental plaque can have a negative effect on your heart health.

Dentists recommend you get checkups twice a year except when pregnant you should double up your visits because pregnant women are more susceptible to dental disease.